Former President Donald Trump announced at a campaign rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona, on October 13th that he intends to address the shortage of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents by proposing a pay increase. Trump stated that if he wins, he will immediately ask Congress to approve a 10 percent raise for all ages and provide a $10,000 retention and signing bonus for each agent. He made this announcement while surrounded by Border Patrol agents.
A 2023 audit conducted by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General revealed that 88 percent of Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) respondents reported inadequate staffing during periods of increased illegal immigration.
Inspector General Joseph Cuffari testified during a June 2023 Congressional hearing that Border Patrol and ICE agents do an excellent job every day but are frustrated due to staffing challenges.
In January 2024, Customs and Border Patrol introduced new financial incentives to enhance recruitment efforts. These incentives include a $20,000 recruitment incentive for newly appointed Border Patrol agents who successfully complete the academy and serve for three years. An additional $10,000 will be paid if the agent accepts a remote location.
President Joe Biden signed legislation in late 2023 that increased overtime pay for border agents.
Before proposing the pay increase at his rally in Prescott Valley, former President Trump highlighted his endorsement from the National Border Patrol Council. Paul Perez, council president, delivered a brief speech expressing support for Trump’s commitment to border protection.
The event also featured prominent Arizona Republicans known for their tough stance on illegal immigration such as Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) who sponsored legislation in 2021 to pause immigration into the United States for ten years. Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), co-sponsor of the bipartisan Subterranean Border Defense Act which passed in September was also present.
Trump advisor Stephen Miller and Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake joined him on stage during the rally.
This event took place shortly after early voting began in Arizona—a crucial battleground state—in both person-in-person voting as well as mail-in voting. Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned there recently along with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) representing Harris’s running mate ticket while Sen JD Vance (R-Ohio) represented Trump’s running mate ticket.
While speakers focused on advocating for another term under Trump’s presidency at this rally, attendees had their own stories to share as well.