Overview

• Raul Ortiz, who served as the chief of U.S. Border Patrol from August 2021 to May 2023, revealed he never had a conversation with President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris during his tenure.
• Ortiz accused the Biden administration of sending 'mixed messages' to migrants, contributing to the ongoing crisis at the southern border.
• Republican lawmakers criticized the administration for not consulting with Ortiz, emphasizing the importance of frontline insights in addressing the border situation.
• The number of illegal crossings at the southern border has significantly increased since 2021, with Ortiz and others calling for comprehensive immigration reform.
• The White House has not publicly responded to Ortiz's comments, as the issue of border security and immigration continues to dominate political discourse ahead of the 2024 election.