Former President Donald Trump announced during a campaign rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona that if elected, he would ask Congress to pass legislation to increase the number of border patrol agents. This proposal would involve hiring 10,000 new agents, providing a 10% raise for existing agents, and offering $10,000 for retention and signing bonuses. Trump criticized the treatment of border patrol agents and pledged to ask for immediate approval for the pay raise.
Earlier this year, Trump opposed a bipartisan border security bill that included funding for additional Customs and Border Protection agents and asylum officers. Senate Republicans blocked the bill after Trump pressured them to do so. Vice President Kamala Harris accused Trump of not being interested in solving problems, but rather using immigration as a campaign issue.
Despite his previous opposition to the bipartisan bill, Trump’s campaign spokesperson stated that he opposed it because it would have expedited illegal immigration. Trump’s plan to increase border security comes after being endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council, a union for Border Patrol agents. Trump has recently been using anti-immigration rhetoric at his rallies, calling for harsh penalties for migrants who commit crimes and announcing a plan called “Operation Aurora” to deport gang members using a law from 1798.
In polls, immigration and border security have been identified as important issues for voters in the upcoming 2024 election, with Harris and Trump being tied on this issue. Trump’s announcement to increase border patrol agents comes as part of his campaign focus on immigration and national security.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com