
A Border Patrol agent has sharply criticized the Biden-Harris administration, accusing it of transforming the role of border enforcement into a “migrant concierge service.” The agent’s remarks highlight the ongoing frustration among border agents who feel their duties have shifted from traditional security roles to assisting with migrant integration.
Zachary Apotheker, who joined the Border Patrol in 2020, expressed his discontent over the changes to his job responsibilities. According to an interview with The New York Post, Apotheker believes that the administration’s policies have diverted Border Patrol’s focus from intercepting drug traffickers and apprehending illegal entrants to managing migrant entry and transition into American society.
Under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the southern border has seen an unprecedented influx of over 8 million migrants since January 2021. This includes individuals from dangerous groups, such as the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Apotheker’s concerns are heightened by the fact that over 1.7 million migrants have eluded capture during this period.
Apotheker voiced strong objections to the current approach, stating, “I don’t want to bring people into the country. That’s not what I signed up to do.” He is troubled by the perceived inequity where migrants receive resources that American citizens cannot, and by the criminal activities committed by some of these migrants. He noted personal distress over crimes committed by migrants and the lack of action to remove them.
Additionally, Apotheker and other sources have reported problems with the handling of unaccompanied migrant children. Many of these children lack proper documentation and biometric data, complicating their safe relocation. There is a significant backlog in the immigration system, with 291,000 migrant children released into the U.S. without court dates and 32,000 failing to attend their scheduled hearings.
The agent has indicated he is willing to risk his career to expose what he sees as serious mismanagement and potential dangers posed by the current border policies. He warns that the situation could deteriorate further if not addressed promptly.
The White House and Border Patrol have yet to respond to requests for comment on these allegations.