The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is grappling with staffing shortages and persistent challenges as it navigates shifting immigration priorities under the Biden administration and the anticipated policies of a potential Trump presidency. While the Biden administration saw an increase in DHS employees, concerns remain about whether current levels are sufficient to meet the demands of upcoming policy changes, particularly those focused on border security and deportation.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent watches as immigrants prepare to board a bus after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border on Jan. 7, 2024 in Eagle Pass, Texas.
"That's one of the biggest problems that has plagued all immigration agencies for as long as I've been in the government," said Michael Knowles, executive vice president of AFGE National CItizenship and Immigration Services Council 119, which represents employees including asylum and immigration services officers."There's not enough people to do the work that we were required to do by law and by public expectation.
Staffing levels analyzed by NPR show that Biden added just over 3,000 CBP employees and 3,300 USCIS employees to the agencies. This continued the growth during Trump's first four years, according to the data. ICE, however, lost 72 employees by the end of Biden's term, compared to 2020.The topline figures also mask deeper, long-standing issues. The agency's morale has long suffered across administrations of both political parties.
"We need more border patrol agents. We need more customs officials," Mayorkas said."And this is not only to serve our nation's physical security, but it also facilitates lawful trade and travel and will serve to fuel America as an economic engine."USCIS, which handles citizenship, visa and other immigration-related applications, faces its own challenges.
The agency's needs"should not be just made possible by increasing the fee of a green card," Knowles said."If they want an immigration system that's not broken, they need to not only enact policies, they need to fund and resource these agencies," he said of Congress., entries from the northern border and other ports of entry, green card applications, passport applications and marriage licenses, among others.
"You need to bring somebody on board, but they can't start working the next day. They need a serious amount of training in order to help them carry out their duties appropriately and effectively," Saldaña said — something that could be complicated by Trump's new goals to deport more people without legal status, including those without a criminal record.
IMMIGRATION DHS STAFFING BORDER SECURITY TRUMP
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