Trump Urges Massive Boost of 10,000 Border Patrol Agents Amidst Bipartisan Border Bill Stalemate

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. — During a rally on Sunday, former President Donald Trump announced a proposal to add 10,000 Border Patrol agents, offering a $10,000 retention and signing bonus for each. This pledge follows his previous role in derailing a bipartisan immigration bill that included additional funding for border personnel.

Trump’s rally took place approximately 260 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, where he received an endorsement from the National Border Patrol Council, a longtime supporter. The former president has made illegal immigration a cornerstone of his campaign, directing criticism towards Vice President Kamala Harris for the significant rise in unauthorized border crossings.

At the event, Trump characterized those entering the U.S. illegally as invaders and criminals, asserting his commitment to initiating the largest deportation effort in the country’s history if re-elected. He previously opposed a bill intended to fund 1,500 new positions at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, aiming to prevent Democrats from claiming a political victory on border security.

Trump insisted the bipartisan legislation was “a horrible bill.” His statements at the rally echoed earlier criticisms of Harris, whom Trump and his allies label as the “border czar,” a title she has never officially held. President Joe Biden tasked her with investigating the root causes of migration from Central America early in his administration.

The rally’s atmosphere was charged when union president Paul Perez emphasized the stakes, claiming that allowing Harris to win would lead every community in the country toward decline. Spokesperson Matt Corridoni from the Harris campaign pointed out Trump’s history of undermining border funding initiatives and highlighted the discrepancies between his promises about the border wall and the actual funding mechanisms during his presidency.

Trump persisted in his commitment to completing the border wall if he returns to office, contrasting his administration’s lower border crossing numbers with the surges experienced during Biden’s tenure. Despite recent decreases in crossings, Trump faces scrutiny over his earlier border enforcement practices, which included separating immigrant children from their families.

In his speech, Trump reiterated that Border Patrol agents merit higher compensation and criticized what he described as neglect from the current administration regarding border issues.