In a scene that seems more like something out of a dystopian movie than the daily goings-on of American law enforcement, Border Patrol agents—yes, the very same who typically guard the vast expanses of borderlands—have been called upon to hold the line in Minneapolis. In what some might call a rather unconventional move, these agents have been brought into the fray, quite possibly raising eyebrows nationwide. With local and state police apparently indisposed, this task has fallen on the shoulders of Border Patrol, adding yet another layer of intrigue to an already complex situation.
Now, some might say, “Why in the world is Border Patrol operating in our cities instead of our borders?” A fair question, indeed. But let’s not forget, these agents are like the Navy SEALs of federal law enforcement, their training impeccable, possibly making some city cops look like mall security in comparison. One involved agent had advanced training that puts him in a league of his own. In such a scenario, one might argue it’s better to have the crème de la crème rather than a ragtag band of unprepared officers.
It seems the tactics used by these federal agencies have come under scrutiny, with some alleging that these methods are more savage than a bull in a china shop. Critics recall the days under President Obama, suggesting a kinder, gentler approach to enforcement was employed. Yet the agents, committed to doing their jobs without fear or favor, simply follow the rules of engagement that require them to protect themselves and their colleagues. Perhaps the real villains are not the enforcers of the law, but the city leaders who effectively tied their hands, creating chaos out of order.
The media, true to its recent trend of selective storytelling, has rather unsurprisingly chosen to focus on the presence of the agents instead of highlighting the actual threats being removed from the streets. Murders, rapists, and human traffickers make for scary headlines but apparently not the right kind of scary for some media outlets. Instead, they prefer to fan the flames of controversy by painting the picture of aggressive fed agents marauding around the city. Meanwhile, the untold good of ridding the streets of the very worst sorts of criminals is pushed far into the shadows.
Finally, let’s address the elephant in the room: Why is there such impassioned focus on Border Patrol and ICE? Could it be because a certain commander-in-chief has made it his mission to actually enforce the laws of the land? The choice might not sit well with the critics who seem to loathe anything with a whiff of border security. Perhaps it’s time for them to reconsider who the real heroes are—the agents risking their lives for the safety of all Americans. With over half of these agents being Hispanic themselves, accusations of nefarious motives start to wane. It seems the only drama left may just be the daily script of media bias, playing out each night on your evening news.
