During an interview on Fox News Channel's "Your World" on Thursday, former Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz disclosed a significant aspect of his tenure leading the agency from August 2021 to June 2023: he never had the opportunity to meet with either President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris.
Ortiz's revelation underscores the disconnect between top administration officials and frontline agents dealing with the ongoing border crisis, emphasizing the need for direct engagement to address pressing challenges.
Fmr. Biden Border Patrol Chief: ‘I Never Once Met‘ with Biden or Harris in Nearly 2 Years https://t.co/jwb1HVqsZr via @BreitbartNews
— Steve Ferguson (@lsferguson) March 1, 2024
Ortiz stressed that the border crisis extends far beyond the confines of South Texas or West Texas, affecting regions such as Tucson, San Diego, and El Paso, where heightened activity demands immediate attention.
He emphasized the critical role of firsthand insights from Border Patrol officials in accurately understanding and effectively addressing the situation.
Ortiz's disappointment in the lack of meetings with the president and vice president during his tenure highlights the urgency of establishing direct lines of communication to develop informed strategies and solutions.
The Border Patrol union issued a stern warning to President Biden ahead of his scheduled visit to the border, cautioning him to refrain from invoking the union's name.
Both Biden and former President Donald Trump have planned visits to the border, with Biden's itinerary including a stop in Brownsville, Texas, within the Rio Grande Valley.
During his visit, Biden is slated to receive briefings on border security operations and deliver remarks urging Congressional Republicans to pass a bipartisan border security agreement.
The bipartisan bill, endorsed by the union, encompasses provisions for additional staffing for Border Patrol and other agencies, funding for cities and states receiving migrants, and measures to address asylum limitations.
Conservative lawmakers have voiced opposition to the bill, expressing concerns that it could perpetuate high levels of illegal immigration and normalize unsustainable practices.
Despite supporting the bipartisan bill, the National Border Patrol Council has been vocal in its criticism of the Biden administration's approach to the border crisis. The union's stance reflects broader discontentment within the Border Patrol community regarding the administration's handling of border security issues.
The council's criticism highlights the growing frustration among frontline agents over what they perceive as inadequate support and attention from top officials in tackling the complex issues at the border.
Overall, Ortiz's disclosure, coupled with the union's warning to President Biden, underscores the imperative for meaningful engagement between administration officials and Border Patrol leadership to develop effective strategies and policies to address the multifaceted border crisis.
