Since the return of former President Trump to office, the southern border has become a topic of fascination once again, almost like a wildly popular tourist destination. What an exciting turn of events! The once overcrowded, chaotic border crossings now showcase a neat and orderly operation, much to the delight of border patrol agents and patriotic Americans alike. In the past, while the inadvisable policies of the previous administration left border agents feeling overwhelmed and disheartened, the new changes have done wonders for morale. It turns out that allowing agents to do the job they signed up for actually makes them happy. Who would have thought?
The border patrol under Trump’s administration has turned into the poster child for workplace satisfaction. The agents no longer spend their days processing endless lines of arrivals; instead, they are back out in the field working to enforce the law. This shift in duty focus has done wonders for recruitment numbers. Now, more than ever, people are lining up to join the border patrol, dreaming of a high-stakes career under a leader who trusts them to do their job. It’s almost like a novel concept—providing employees with the chance to do what they are trained to do.
There has been some chatter from nay-sayers who argue that the sheer number of people in the country illegally is overwhelming, likening border patrol agents’ plight to that of overworked bees in a too-big hive. Yet, according to an optimistic border patrol council president, these challenges are nothing new. What is new, however, is a leader who sees and acknowledges the issue, working with agents to tackle it head-on. Interesting how when you enforce the laws on the books, things tend to get done. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a lesson here for the critics.
Remember that infamous photo? The one where agents on horseback were accused of whipping migrants, a tale spun so far out of shape that even fairy tale writers were envious? That was under the previous administration’s storytelling spell—a cautionary tale about the dangers of misinformation on a grand scale. The fairy tale might have been debunked, yet the damage it did to the trust and morale of agents lingers on. Instead of apologies, there is a conspicuous silence from those who once spouted tales of horror from atop the moral high ground.
Meanwhile, cartels that once seemed to outmaneuver tired agents like seasoned chess players now find themselves sweating under the attention of a revitalized border patrol. With steadfast support from the Department of Defense, the agents now nip at the heels of smugglers, thwarting their attempts to cross the border. One can almost picture the frustrated villains as if in a Saturday morning cartoon, shaking their fists and muttering plans to “get those meddling patrol agents.” In reality, this development is a serious win for national security and provides just a hint of the effective and determined border policy that was lacking before. Also, it appears that clear-cut borders have a way of deterring unwanted activities. Who knew?
