Former President Donald Trump received a significant endorsement from the Border Patrol union during a campaign rally in Arizona, a crucial swing state. The endorsement could prove pivotal as immigration remains a top concern for voters.
The rally, held on Sunday, was marked by Trump’s promise to increase border security. He announced plans to hire 10,000 additional border agents, provide a 10% pay raise and introduce a $10,000 signing and retention bonus. “They deserve it,” Trump said, highlighting what he described as unfair treatment of agents.
The Washington Times further reports on border security personnel throwing their support behind the only candidate they believe will secure the border:
Paul Perez, president of the union representing 16,000 Border Patrol agents, said the former president has been a true ally.
“America, I have a message for you: If we allow ‘Border Czar’ Harris to win this election, every city, every community in this great country is going to go to hell,” Mr. Perez said, lamenting that millions of unvetted migrants who have entered the country illegally under the Biden-Harris administration.
“Only one man can fix that. That is Donald J. Trump,” he said.
“He has always stood with the men and women who protect this border, who put their lives on the line for the country,” he said.
Illegal immigration has consistently ranked as a key issue, with a study in June revealing that half of the jobs created under President Biden’s economic policies went to undocumented workers rather than American citizens.
Trump’s endorsement by the Border Patrol union comes as Democrats face increasing pressure over their handling of the border crisis. Matt Corridoni, spokesperson for the Harris campaign, criticized the endorsement, pointing to what he called Trump’s broken promises. “Trump told us Mexico would pay for his failed border wall. That was a lie,” Corridoni stated, adding that Trump killed a bipartisan border bill that could have strengthened border security.
Corridoni also defended Vice President Kamala Harris’s record, stating, “There’s only one candidate focused on tackling issues for the American people, has taken on transnational gangs, and is focused on keeping our communities safe—Vice President Kamala Harris.”
Despite these efforts, Democrats have faced challenges in managing immigration. Harris, in her role as “border czar,” has been criticized for the influx of nearly 10 million undocumented migrants during her tenure. The situation worsened when Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed on Oct. 2 that DHS may not have sufficient funds to provide assistance through the end of the hurricane season, after spending $1 billion on immigration-related costs.
As Election Day rapidly approaches, immigration is likely to remain a central issue, with both parties vying for voters concerned about border security.
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