The National Border Patrol Council, the union representing U.S. Border Patrol agents, has issued a statement congratulating president-elect Donald Trump on his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.
At the time of writing Trump was projected to win Wisconsin, putting him over the 270 threshold needed to win the presidency.
The union, known for its long-standing support of Trump's border policies, praised the outcome as a significant win not only for the former president but for the nation as a whole.
National Border Patrol Council Vice President Art Del Cueto said in an exclusive statement to Newsweek: "We consider today's victory for President Trump not just a victory for himself, but a victory for the entire country. We look forward to working with him like we have in the past to fix the many issues that have affected our nation's borders in the last four years."
This year's election cycle shined a spotlight on border security, as Trump put immigration at the forefront of his campaign.
Trump had indicated that, if reelected, he would prioritize a return to his previous policies, focusing on enhanced border security and immigration reform, both of which resonated strongly with Border Patrol agents and advocates of stricter border controls.
The National Border Patrol Council endorsed Donald Trump for president at a campaign rally on October 13 in Arizona.
Trump has pledged to hire 10,000 new agents, give a 10 percent raise to existing agents, and offer $10,000 retention and signing bonuses.
Trump has repeatedly vowed to carry out mass deportations to curb illegal migration.
He also said he would force the million-plus people who arrived under humanitarian parole or were allowed to stay in the U.S. through Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under his administration.
He branded his policy "Operation Aurora" and said the plans would begin in the town of Aurora in Colorado after video surfaced of an armed gang storming an apartment complex.
"I make this pledge and vow to you, November 5, 2024, will be liberation day in America," Trump told a crowd of MAGA supporters at a rally in Colorado in October. "I will rescue Aurora and every town that has been invaded and conquered."
Democratic Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren accused Trump of planning to tearing families apart after he pledged to carry out the largest mass deportation plans in history.
In response to Trump's proposed plans, Lofgren, who represents California's 18th district, previously told Newsweek: "Trump is proposing to go in and rip the dad out of that household and leave the mom and kids on their own. That's something all Americans should be concerned about."
It comes as exit polls on Tuesday night suggested that voters' interest in immigration as a top issue in the 2024 presidential election appeared to have waned.
CNN's exit poll showed that among Trump voters, 51 percent said the economy was the most important issue, while immigration was at 20 percent.
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