Union Comments On Agency Morale
Border security officials are riding a wave of renewed optimism following the election of President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to make border security and immigration enforcement a top priority once again.
After nearly four years of policies that allowed unprecedented numbers of migrants into the United States, Trump’s victory has brought a sense of hope to agencies that have been dealing with an unmanageable influx of illegal crossings. Adding fuel to this optimism is Trump’s decision to appoint Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE), as his new “border czar,” a move widely welcomed by Border Patrol and ICE officials alike.
Homan’s return has reinvigorated border personnel. Known for his outspoken criticism of the current administration’s border policies, Homan has been vocal about the changes he believes are essential to restore order and security along the southern border. “I’ve been yelling and screaming about what they need to do to fix it,” Homan shared during a recent Fox & Friends appearance.
When Trump asked if he’d consider returning to help tackle the border crisis, Homan says he felt compelled to step up. His goals are clear: prioritizing public safety and national security threats through stricter enforcement and mass deportations where necessary, a plan that aligns perfectly with Trump’s pledge for rigorous immigration control.
For agents who have weathered record-high crossings—nearly 3 million in fiscal 2024 alone—the shift in administration feels like a long-awaited change. “It’s a total 180,” an ICE officer in Massachusetts noted, describing a newfound “hope” that has spread through ranks once feeling “numb” to the crisis. This sense of purpose has led to renewed commitment among the agents, with many who had considered retirement now rethinking their decisions, eager to support the mission of restoring border security.
Across multiple states, the enthusiasm is palpable. Paul Perez, President of the National Border Patrol Council, noted an outpouring of relief and joy among agents. “We’ve received hundreds of calls, texts, emails just saying how happy the agents are,” Perez stated. Some agents are delaying retirement to be part of what they view as a much-needed revitalization of border enforcement. “Morale is even higher than the first time he won,” an Arizona Border Patrol agent added.
For border personnel, the return of Homan brings with it not only strong leadership but also a shift away from politically constrained language. Officials have expressed frustration with the mandated use of terms like “noncitizen,” feeling it dilutes the severity of the situation. There’s an eagerness to return to straightforward language and practices that prioritize national security over political optics.
Senior ICE officials echo these sentiments, saying agents are thrilled at the prospect of “doing the work they signed up to do.” With Homan at the helm, officials say they can now tackle serious threats head-on, focusing on deporting dangerous individuals such as gang members and repeat offenders.
Border agents and ICE officers, who felt their hands were tied by restrictive policies, now feel empowered to address the surge in illegal immigration. A Texas border agent captured the mood best, saying, “Everyone is happy… people know now they will get to do the work they signed up to do and that they want to do.” The promise of a more robust enforcement approach has rekindled a sense of purpose within the ranks, creating a stark contrast to the frustration many felt in recent years.