East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and 20 Senate colleagues have introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing May 28, 2024, as the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol.

The resolution states: “Recognizing May 28, 2024, as the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol and commending the service of the U.S. Border Patrol to the United States people."

It recounts that from 1904 to 1924, the Mounted Guard was assigned to the Immigration Service under the Department of Commerce and Labor. The founding members included Texas Rangers, sheriffs, and deputized cowboys who patrolled the Texas frontier for smugglers, rustlers, and illegal entrants.

Following the Department of Labor Appropriation Act on May 28, 1924, the Border Patrol was established within the Bureau of Immigration with an initial force of 450 patrol inspectors and an annual budget of $1 million. Each inspector received $1,300 annually and furnished their own horse.

The resolution highlights various historical aspects such as changes in illegal immigration and contraband alcohol traffic necessitating formal training for border enforcement. It also notes that during its history, Border Patrol agents have been deputized as United States Marshals multiple times.

The current force comprises over 19,000 agents and 3,000 professional staff located in 129 stations and 35 permanent checkpoints under 22 sectors. They are responsible for protecting more than 8,000 miles of international land and water boundaries.

Additionally, it mentions that Border Patrol agents have dual roles in protecting borders and enforcing immigration laws humanely while being primarily responsible for drug interdiction between ports of entry.

The resolution acknowledges that throughout its history, this mission has involved significant danger; evidenced by the fact that 155 Border Patrol agents and pilots have lost their lives in duty.

Therefore, it resolves to recognize this milestone anniversary on May 28, applaud significant achievements made by U.S. Border Patrol personnel over a century-long period; commend those who served; remember those who died in service; and support policies aimed at improving working conditions for current agents.

Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Arizona), Jon Tester (D-Montana), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Angus King (I-Maine), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Rick Scott (R-Florida), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) Ted Budd(R-North Carolina)and Gary Peters(D-Michigan) also cosponsored this legislation.

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