LA Mayor Mayor Karen Bass expressed disappointment Friday with Hispanics joining Border Patrol – arguing they must only doing it for the paycheck.
Bass argued that the surge in interest in joining Border Patrol is being driven “primarily” by financial reasons. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Karen Bass said Friday she was troubled by a growing number of Hispanic Americans joining the U.S. Border Patrol, suggesting many are motivated primarily by financial necessity rather than belief in the agency’s mission.
Speaking on CNN’s The Situation Room, Bass reacted to a report highlighting the rise in Hispanic Border Patrol recruits and agents. “In a way, I think it’s sad,” she said, adding that new agents may struggle once they confront the realities of enforcement work in the field.
“I think that those Border Patrol agents are going to have a difficult time when they’re out in the field and they see what actually happens in real life separate from their training,” Bass told host Wolf Blitzer.
The CNN report included interviews with Hispanic recruits and agents who addressed criticism that they are detaining people of their “own kind” or “own blood.” One recruit, 20-year-old Juan Peralta, rejected that characterization, saying, “They didn’t come in the right way. So, they aren’t my kind.”
Veteran Border Patrol Agent Claudio Herrera also defended his role, saying he views his work as protecting communities on both sides of the border. “I’m protecting my community,” Herrera said. “I’m protecting both sides of the border.”
According to federal data, more than half of Border Patrol agents identify as Hispanic.
Bass said she believes economic pressure is a key factor driving recruitment. “I do understand that their primary incentive is financial,” she said. “I think it just speaks to the financial situation that millions of Americans find themselves in.” She added that the report raised serious concerns for her.
Recent funding for border security has enabled the Border Patrol to offer significant hiring incentives. New agents can receive up to $60,000 in bonuses, including $10,000 upon completing the academy and another $10,000 for assignments in remote locations.
Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said the incentives are designed to strengthen the workforce. “CBP is committed to recruiting and retaining top talent for our critical mission,” Scott said in a statement last week. “By offering competitive incentives, we are investing in skilled professionals who will help secure America’s borders and advance national security.”
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