Vice President Kamala Harris's first border visit in over three years has sparked controversy among border officials.
According to a report by Breitbart News, the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) has accused Harris of using her recent trip to Arizona as a mere "photo op. " The union's criticism comes after Harris's brief 20-minute visit to Douglas, Arizona, on Friday.
The NBPC, which represents U.S. Border Patrol agents, expressed frustration with Harris's sudden appearance at the U.S.-Mexico border after what they claim has been years of neglect. The union took to social media to voice their concerns about the timing and brevity of the Vice President's visit.
Art Del Cueto, vice president of the NBPC, appeared on Fox News to share his perspective on Harris's visit. He claimed that the Vice President did not engage with any border patrol agents during her time in Douglas.
Del Cueto contrasted Harris's approach with that of former President Donald Trump, stating:
President Trump actually cares and he's actually gone down there and met with boots on the ground.
The union's criticism extends beyond the lack of interaction with agents. They also questioned the sudden realization of the need for additional resources at the border, pointing out the timing so close to the upcoming election.
During her brief appearance in Douglas, Vice President Harris took the opportunity to address border security concerns and criticize former President Trump's stance on the issue.
Harris specifically mentioned a bipartisan border bill that failed to pass, claiming that Trump "tanked it" for political reasons. She argued that the bill would have provided significant improvements to border security.
The Vice President stated:
It was the strongest border security bill we have seen in decades. It was endorsed by the Border Patrol union, and it should be in effect today, producing results in real time right now for our country. But Donald Trump tanked it… because, you see, he prefers to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem.
The National Border Patrol Council used social media to emphasize the scale of the border crisis, citing statistics to underscore their point.
In one post, the union stated that they had apprehended over 8 million illegal immigrants in the past four years. This statement was made in response to Harris's assertion that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) needed more resources.
The NBPC's criticism reflects a broader frustration among border officials who feel that the current administration has not adequately addressed the ongoing challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Vice President Harris's brief visit to Arizona has reignited the debate on border security. The Border Patrol union's accusation of a "photo op" highlights the tension between border officials and the administration. Harris's criticism of Trump and her defense of the failed bipartisan border bill demonstrates the political complexities surrounding the issue.
