From The New Yorker · Francisco Cantú · · 1m 50s
Why Immigration Agents Don’t Quit in Protest
Immigration agents face moral conflicts but rarely quit despite harsh policies.
In brief
Immigration agents face moral conflicts but rarely quit despite harsh policies. Immigration agents endure moral conflicts with policies but few quit due to systemic pressures and financial incentives. Originally reported by The New Yorker.
Joshua Childress' Experience
Joshua Childress, a Border Patrol agent, quit after witnessing migrant suffering and moral conflicts with policies.
“I was impeding the movement of people when I wanted to be able to move freely around the world.”
Migrant Stories
Migrants often have stories of trauma, including being deported after hosting barbecues and facing noise complaints.
“Because this is my home”
Moral Conflict
Agents face moral conflicts between enforcing laws and human suffering, leading to internal struggles.
“I barely speak Spanish”
Zero-Tolerance Policy
Trump's zero-tolerance policy led to family separations and agent moral distress.
“separating children from their parents”
Agent Morale
Agent morale dropped under Biden and Trump, with many facing burnout and political pressure.
“Under Biden, things are the worst they have ever been by far”
Migrant Detention Conditions
Migrant detention facilities face overcrowding and poor conditions, including extreme temperatures.
“six hundred migrants detained outdoors without shade”
Whistleblowing
Agents like Aaron Veckey report poor conditions but face isolation and retaliation.
“I just wanted to throw up”
Historical Context
The Border Patrol has a history of brutality, including the 1924 Immigration Act and Operation Wetback.
“a cult of brutality”
Agent Rationalization
Agents rationalize their actions through denial and dehumanization of migrants.
“You see these people like cattle”
Financial Incentives
Agents earn high salaries with bonuses, making quitting financially risky.
“up to fifty thousand dollars in signing bonuses”
Moral Dilemma
Agents face a dilemma between moral integrity and career stability.
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it”
Agent Withdrawal
Few agents quit despite moral conflicts, leading to systemic issues.
“I don’t know that I’ve changed a single mind”
Historical Brutality
Historical brutality includes the 1924 Immigration Act and Operation Wetback.
“eighty-eight deaths”
Migrant Deaths
Migrant deaths are high, with over 7,000 people dying or going missing since 2014.
“nearly seven thousand people have died or gone missing”
Agent Support
Former agents seek support but face challenges in forming communities.
“I never think about it otherwise”
Conclusion
Agents remain in the system despite moral conflicts, leading to ongoing human suffering.
“I sleep good at night”
At a glance
Immigration agents endure moral conflicts with policies but few quit due to systemic pressures and financial incentives.
