Head of Border Patrol Union Says Misplaced Agents Delaying Security Measures

At the Department of Homeland Security Wednesday, President Trump announced plans to begin work on a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border as well as hire 5,000 additional Border Patrol agents. Border Patrol Union President Brandon Judd appeared on the FOX Business Network Thursday and explained why he feels 5,000 agents is enough to secure the border.

“It is enough. In fact, if we were able to put all the agents that we currently have on the border, we would be able to secure the border given that we get the additional technology such as the wall,” Judd told the FOX Business Network’s Stuart Varney.

The issue, according to Judd, is that many patrol agents are assigned to duties other than securing the border.

“We have agents that are in [a] PR department for the agency, we have agents doing labor-employee relations instead of actually on the border, securing the border.”

On the other hand, Judd explained that if the administration decides to keep those agents at their current positions, the additional 5,000 agents would be necessary.

“If the agency determines that those individuals are needed in the places that they’re at, then we do need that additional 5,000 agents in order to secure the border.”