Even as illegal immigrants continue to stream across the southern border, President Joe Biden still has not nominated anyone to lead U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The CBP is the law enforcement agency directed to inspect people and goods coming across the border into the U.S. by land, air, or water. It also leads the effort to arrest illegal border crossers, a mission the Biden administration has relaxed after it became a contentious priority under former President Donald Trump.
Nearly 100,000 people have been caught attempting to cross the U.S. southern border with Mexico in February, up from 78,000 in January, according to the Washington Examiner.
Troy Miller is CBP’s current acting commissioner after previously leading the agency’s New York field office.
Miller tweeted just days after Biden’s inauguration:
“I’m honored to assume the role of Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner of @CBP. I am continually inspired by the men and women of CBP, who work tirelessly every day to keep this country and its people safe.”
CBP has had only acting-level leadership since former head Kevin McAleenan was promoted to acting secretary for the Department of Homeland Security in April 2019.
McAleenan was nominated for the CBP gig in May 2017 but was not confirmed until March 2018, according to the Examiner, after Democrats took issues with the Trump administration’s hard line on immigration.
The Biden White House did not immediately respond to the Examiner’s request for comment.
Source: Newmax
