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By Amir Daftari
News Reporter
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At a rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona, former President Donald Trump proposed hiring 10,000 more Border Patrol agents and giving them a $10,000 retention and signing bonus.
Trump's proposal comes months after he derailed a bipartisan border bill that would have increased funding for border personnel.
The rally, 260 miles from Arizona's border with Mexico, also featured Trump accepting an endorsement from the National Border Patrol Council, a union that backed him in prior campaigns.
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Trump's focus on immigration, a cornerstone of his platform, was underscored by his attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he blamed for the spike in unauthorized border crossings under the current administration.
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Trump has consistently framed illegal immigration as a critical issue, describing those entering the U.S. unlawfully as invaders and criminals. He reiterated his vow to conduct the largest deportation operation in U.S. history if he returns to the White House.
Despite his support for Border Patrol agents, Trump previously opposed legislation that would have increased funding for the agency, leading to the collapse of the bipartisan immigration deal earlier this year.
The bill would have provided funding for 1,500 new Customs and Border Protection personnel, but Trump labeled it "a horrible bill" and argued it would have given Democrats a political win on one of his signature issues.
During the rally, union president Paul Perez stood alongside Trump and referred to Harris as the "border czar," a title she has never officially held. Harris was tasked by President Joe Biden to study the root causes of migration from Central America, but Trump and his supporters continue to link her to the border crisis.
"If we allow Border Czar Harris to win this election, every city, every community in this great country is going to go to hell," Perez said.
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In response to Trump's rally, Matt Corridoni, a spokesperson for Harris' campaign, referenced Trump's opposition to the border bill and reminded voters of his unfulfilled promise that Mexico would fund the construction of his border wall.
"Trump doesn't care about solving problems, he only wants to run on one," Corridoni said in a statement.
Much of the funding for Trump's border wall came from U.S. taxpayers, and border crossings have now decreased to levels comparable to his own presidency.
While Trump's presidency was marked by efforts to reduce illegal immigration, including the controversial family separation policy, his administration faced challenges in enforcing immigration laws. The COVID-19 pandemic led to international border closures, further complicating the issue.
At the rally, Trump criticized what he described as Biden's neglect of the border, insisting that agents deserved higher pay and bonuses. He also reiterated his commitment to completing the border wall if returned to the White House, contrasting his approach with what he called the current administration's failures.
This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.
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