Border Patrol Union denies Joe Biden's claim of endorsement
US President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, US., June 28, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS
The National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) has refuted President Joe Biden's claim that the agency endorsed him for reelection. During the first 2024 presidential debate, Biden stated that the Border Patrol had endorsed his position on legislation aimed at funding border security initiatives.
Biden claimed, “We worked very hard to get a bipartisan agreement that not only changed all of that, but it made sure that we are in a situation where you had no circumstance where they could come across the border with the number of border police there are now. We significantly increased the number of asylum officers. By the way, the Border Patrol endorsed me, endorsed my position.”
However, the NBPC swiftly responded on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “To be clear, we never have and never will endorse Biden.”
To be clear, we never have and never will endorse Biden.
— Border Patrol Union - NBPC (@BPUnion) June 28, 2024
In February, NBPC President Brandon Judd expressed support for the Border Act of 2024, a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing border security. Judd said, “While not perfect, the Border Act of 2024 is a step in the right direction and is far better than the current status quo. This is why the National Border Patrol Council endorses this bill and hopes for its quick passage.”
During the debate, Biden also asserted that illegal border crossings have decreased since he issued an executive order to limit the number of migrants entering the U.S. He argued that current levels are better than when former President Donald Trump left office. Trump countered by claiming his administration had the safest border in American history, stating, “We had the safest border in the history of our country. All he had to do was leave it. All he had to do was leave it. He decided to open up our border, open up our country to people that are from prisons, people that are from mental institutions, insane asylum, terrorists.”
Trump highlighted his administration's immigration policies, such as the Migrant Protection Protocols, which required immigrants to wait in Mexico for their hearings. Biden defended his executive order, suggesting it addresses immigration issues while accusing congressional Republicans of politicizing the matter.