Laredo, Texas – Department of Homeland Security officials expect illegal border crossings to leap to a 20-year high in 2021. This means that Border Patrol Agents and Support Staff will continue to be overwhelmed with limited resources.

While the Rio Grande Valley sector is overwhelmed with Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) and Family Units, the Laredo Sector continues to encounter adult males who are actively trying to evade apprehension and physically assaulting Border Patrol Agents. Border Patrol Agents in the Laredo Sector continue to apprehend numerous illegal aliens with serious criminal records that pose a significant risk to our border community and our country. With a halt to the construction of the border wall, no additional Border Patrol Agents on the border, and failed border security policies, the situation at the border will only get worse.

In comparison to the same time period last year, the Laredo Sector has experienced an over 150% increase in apprehensions and an overwhelming increase (over 450%) in the discovery of stash houses and smuggling events involving tractor trailers.

NBPC Local 2455 would like to remind all Border Patrol Agents and Support Staff to conduct their duties safely and to support each other as you face dangerous and stressful situations in the line of duty.

Below are a few actions that you can take to help ensure your safety:

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings

• Constantly train, prepare and improve

• Maintain mental and physical fitness

• Effectively utilize cover and concealment

• Do not place yourself unnecessarily at risk

• Avoid complacency

• Use force when appropriate

• When possible, summon additional resources

• Use safe tactics and techniques

As always, please contact a Union Representative for any assistance and thank you for your continued support!