Border Patrol Chief on LA Protests: National Guard Was Needed to Enforce Immigration Laws

Need for National Guard in LA

• 🎯 National Guard and LAPD backup were deemed necessary by the U.S. Border Patrol Chief to manage protests related to immigration raids.
• ⚡ The Border Patrol was assisting ICE with enforcement operations in LA when agents reportedly came under attack from protesters throwing rocks and sticks.
• 🔑 The arrival of the National Guard and LAPD's eventual support in arresting violent protesters allowed Border Patrol agents to resume their primary duty of enforcing immigration laws.

Addressing Protester Violence

• ⚠️ Chief Banks refutes claims that the protests were entirely peaceful, stating that hourly updates indicated agents were assaulted with rocks, bricks, and fireworks.
• 💥 He asserts that a majority of protesters were not peaceful but were exploiting the situation to loot and riot, necessitating law and order enforcement.
• ⚖️ The chief emphasized that disagreeing with a law should be addressed through the political process (voting), not through violence against law enforcement.

Law Enforcement's Role and Politics

• 🚔 The Border Patrol Chief stated that law enforcement organizations are professional and focus on enforcing laws, staying out of political disputes.
• 🤝 Despite political rifts, the support from the Department of Defense and National Guard is crucial for agents to perform their duties safely.
• 📈 CBP has been involved since the inception of operations, contributing to a reported 93% reduction in border crossings and continuing to arrest individuals in the country illegally.
• ✊ Law enforcement officers have taken an oath to uphold the laws of the country and cannot be intimidated into not doing their jobs.