(NewsNation) — In 1924, Congress officially created the Border Patrol to secure the areas between official border inspection points.
This foundational work has set the stage for nearly a century of dedicated service in safeguarding our borders. Border Patrol employees’ legacy is reflected in their daily efforts to secure the border, save lives and protect our communities — men like retired agent Chris Clem.
“I tell you what, I can’t think of a better organization to be part of to spend my entire professional career, you know, loving America, doing everything I can to make her safe,” he said. “The mission has always been important. It’s always been about protecting America, leading by our core values of vigilance, integrity, and service to country.”
One hundred years ago, the United States Border Patrol was established on May 28, 1924, to address rising illegal immigration. The agency began with just 450 officers. Today, more than 19,000 agents are responding to the current crisis.
While the agency celebrates this historic milestone, agents are faced with new safety challenges and concerns.
Sources confirm that an AirTag tracker was found inside a Border Patrol vehicle, prompting the agency to send out a warning for other agents to be vigilant, and in the Laredo Sector, an agent was followed home, CBP said in a statement:
At the same time, the Del Rio Sector chief reports that over a 90-day period, more than 10 agents were assaulted while doing their jobs.
In one instance earlier this month, sources confirmed a man from Mexico wanted for murder was combative with an agent, and the man reportedly went for the agent’s gun. The agent shot the man in the leg.
Across the agency, since the fiscal year began in October, at least 387 USBP agents have been assaulted according to the Border Patrol chief, eclipsing the previous high over the last three years of 279 assaults.
Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe is a second-generation Border Patrol agent, following in his father’s footsteps before retiring and becoming sheriff. While he doesn’t dismiss what agents are up against, Coe says they know the safety challenges and concerns yet still sign up to wear the green uniform. He says he would do it all again.
The agency has been holding events across the nation all week — an opportunity to showcase the patrol and encourage others to join as law enforcement agencies across the nation struggle to recruit people.
