The most dangerous threats CBP agents face as Trump increases enforcement

As President Donald Trump continues to focus on border security and deportation efforts, agents with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are facing increasingly sophisticated threats to their safety, according to an expert interviewed by Fox News Digital.

Lora Ries, director of the Heritage Foundation’s Border Security and Immigration Center, highlighted the challenges that agents are currently facing. She explained that as the cartels lose business due to decreased border encounters, they are not backing down quietly. The recent decision to stop wearing body cameras during field operations was a response to a security risk posed by a Reddit post that detailed how agents could be tracked using an application called BLE Radar.

Ries emphasized that the cartels could potentially use this tracking information to harm or target agents, including using improvised explosive devices. She also raised concerns about the potential increase in false claims of abuse against agents without the protection of body cameras to provide evidence.

In addition to external threats from cartels, Ries pointed out that leaks of ICE raids and other operational vulnerabilities pose risks to agents from within the U.S. There have been warnings of potential ambushes on ICE agents following leaks of planned operations.

Ries also discussed the use of drones by cartels to track CBP agents and the need for increased resources and funding from Congress to combat these dangers effectively. She stressed the importance of technology, equipment, intel, and personnel working together to ensure the safety of agents during operations.

Overall, Ries called for swift action from Congress to provide CBP and ICE with the necessary resources to carry out enforcement efforts effectively and protect agents from harm. The challenges faced by agents require a comprehensive approach that addresses both external threats from cartels and internal risks from leaks and vulnerabilities.

In conclusion, the safety and security of CBP and ICE agents are paramount as they work to enforce immigration laws and protect the borders of the United States. Congressional support and adequate resources are essential to ensuring the effectiveness and safety of these agencies in carrying out their missions.