Trump's Policies Boost Border Patrol Morale and Effectiveness

Under President Donald Trump’s administration, U.S. Border Patrol morale has surged, and border apprehensions have significantly decreased, according to Chief Mike Banks.

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks reported a dramatic increase in agency morale since President Trump took office, attributing it to the administration’s policy changes that allow agents to enforce the law more effectively. Speaking on ‘America’s Newsroom,’ Banks stated, ‘We’ve had the handcuffs taken off,’ indicating a shift from previous policies that he felt hindered law enforcement efforts. This change in policy has coincided with a sharp decline in border crossings, with March seeing fewer apprehensions than the first two days of the same month in 2024 under the Biden administration.

President Trump’s executive actions, including ending birthright citizenship, suspending refugee admissions, and resuming border wall construction, have been credited with these improvements. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the administration’s approach, stating that agents are now focused on securing the border rather than facilitating illegal entries. The Los Angeles Times highlighted the impact of these policies, noting that the California-Mexico border, once overwhelmed, is now nearly empty of migrants.

Recruitment within the Border Patrol has also seen a significant boost, with Banks reporting some of the highest numbers ever. This comes after a period of low recruitment and high attrition during the previous administration. In areas like Eagle Pass, Texas, which once saw thousands of apprehensions daily, the numbers have dropped to an average of 18 per day with minimal ‘gotaways.’

These developments suggest a strong correlation between Trump’s border policies and improved operational effectiveness and morale within the U.S. Border Patrol.