“There’s a huge disconnect between your rank-and-file agents and your up-top management. Everybody who does this job knows it dangerous, but it’s gotten more dangerous in the last few years,” Chris Cabrera, vice-president of the National Border Patrol Council Local 3307 said.
Border Patrol agents face new challenges in the Rio Grande Valley, an agents’ union spokesman said Friday.
Chris Cabrera, vice-president of the National Border Patrol Council Local 3307, said there is a growing disconnect between the agents and their leaders.
Cabrera said smugglers and immigrants are resorting to violence to keep from being caught.
“Right up the river here, one of our agents was attacked a few years ago. He took a rock to the face. He almost lost his eye,” Cabrera said.
“Border Patrol work is unlike any other police work in the nation. Very rarely do you arrest one or two people at a time. (We) usually (arrest) 20-plus … you don’t carry that many handcuffs. It’s getting increasingly dangerous,” Cabrera said.
Border Patrol officials confirmed there has been an increase in the number of people crossing illegally.
“An increase in apprehensions was noted in South Texas, specifically of individuals from Latin American countries. However, significant border-wide investments in additional enforcement resources and enhanced operational tactics and strategy have enabled CBP to address the increased activity,” a Customs and Border Protection statement said.
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