Democrats don’t know what to make of this.
Democratic leaders are showing growing frustration after new federal data revealed a sharp rise in Latino Americans joining the U.S. Border Patrol—an unexpected trend emerging as border enforcement numbers improve under President Donald Trump.
The development is drawing renewed attention to how economic reality, law enforcement, and immigration policy are colliding in ways many Democrats appear uncomfortable addressing.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass addressed the issue during a Friday appearance on The Situation Room, where host Wolf Blitzer asked for her reaction to a report highlighting the surge in Hispanic recruitment into border enforcement.
Bass described the trend as “sad,” arguing that new Border Patrol agents may struggle once they experience the realities of enforcing immigration laws outside of training. She also suggested that many recruits may be motivated by financial pressure rather than support for border security.
According to Bass, the increase reflects broader economic stress facing millions of Americans, rather than enthusiasm for immigration enforcement. Her remarks underscored ongoing resistance among Democratic officials to stricter border policies.
Earlier in the program, CNN correspondent David Culver interviewed newly sworn Border Patrol recruits. During one exchange, recruit Juan Peralta was asked how he responds to criticism about enforcing immigration laws against people who share his background.
Peralta’s answer was straightforward: individuals who enter the country illegally, he said, are not following the law—and legality, not identity, is what matters.
Federal data supports the significance of the shift. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports Border Patrol applications are up roughly 70 percent compared to last year. More than half of agents currently serving along the southern border now identify as Hispanic.
The recruitment surge coincides with a major milestone announced by the Trump administration. In October, officials confirmed fiscal year 2025 ended with the lowest number of U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions since 1970.
CBP reported approximately 237,565 southwest border apprehensions in fiscal year 2025—numbers comparable to levels last seen more than five decades ago, a stark contrast to the historic surges recorded in recent years.
For many Americans, the data points to a clear conclusion: firm enforcement, consistent leadership, and respect for the rule of law are producing measurable results. The growing presence of Latino Americans in border enforcement roles is also challenging long-standing political narratives.
As immigration remains a central issue heading into future elections, the numbers suggest the national conversation around border security may be shifting—whether Democratic leaders like it or not.
