Many public discussions about the US-Mexico border omit important statistics that point to an unwinnable long-term solution to the migrant crisis.
Underlying this is politicians’ ignorance. Migrants clamoring at the southern boundary have braved unimginable physical challenges. Many are victims of violent crime. It is common that they are hungry, and they have often bribed Mexican officials, just to reach the border.
At that point, they face the bleak possibilty that American authorities will turn them away. The Mexican government, under no legal obligation, accepts undocumented foreigners. This favor means fewer migrants admitted to the U.S.
Border encounters are frequently reported monthly, or a paticular month compared to the one before.
However the entire picture is ignored.
In the past two years, the U.S. has seen record numbers of migrant encounters at the southern border.
The total for fiscal year 2023 (October 2022 – September 2023) reached approximately 2.4 million encounters, the highest ever recorded. This number includes repeated attempts by the same individuals, as the recidivism rate has increased due to changes in immigration policies
Looking at a broader timespan, from fiscal year 2019 through 2023, the number of border encounters has significantly increased compared to previous years.
For example, encounters were around 458,000 in 2020 (impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic) but surged in subsequent years. By 2021, the total surpassed 1.7 million, continuing an upward trend.
The estimated total of migrant encounters over the past five years is around 8 million, driven by various factors including changes in U.S. immigration policies, political instability, and economic conditions in countries like Venezuela and others in Latin America
I don’t know what the politicians who visit discuss with border officials during their attention-grabbing journeys. Securing the border, whatever what that exactly means, has a long-term problem.
The U.S. Border Patrol is experiencing a relatively high turnover rate, particularly in recent years. Attrition rates for the agency used to ranged between 4% and 6%.
However, since 2021, the number of early retirements has doubled compared to previous years, with more agents opting to leave as soon as they are eligible.
This increase in early retirements is partly due to dissatisfaction with changes in job duties and the political environment, which many agents feel have made their jobs more challenging
In addition, many agents are transitioning to private sector roles, leveraging their experience for better-paying jobs, particularly in consulting or contracting related to border security.
This trend, combined with increased stress from high migrant encounters, has made retaining Border Patrol personnel more difficult than in previous years.
Agent salaries are complicated and not bad.
Agents who graduate from the academy and work for three years are offered a $20,000 bonus.
New agents typically start at GL-5, GL-7, or GL-9, with higher grades offering higher base pay. For example, a GS-7 agent might earn $49,000–$78,000, while a GS-12 agent might earn $77,000–$126,000.
Some cities, like Berkeley, CA, New York City, NY, and Renton, WA, have higher than average salaries for Border Patrol Agents. Those posted to remote stations such as those in Sierra Blanca and Presidio, Texas get an extra $10,000 per year
Agents can advance to higher grades and receive step increases within each grade.
Border cops can earn up to 25% of their salary for overtime work.
Agents may be eligible for premium pay for working on Sundays, holidays, or night shifts.
Border Patrol Agents receive full benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, as well as paid time off and a 401(k).
All this, and a high school education is sufficient to get hired. Oh, you must pass a background check and drug test. Good character is another requirement.
Depending on the information source, women agents comprise 14 percent or five percent of the force.
The only definitive solution is the creation of jobs and public safety in the top-sending nations. That undoubtedly would keep would-be migrants in their homelands. Washington could make this happen.
Ricardo Chavira Chicano 