CBP touts historic milestone, pushes for even larger workforce: ‘We aren’t stopping here’

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has broken staffing records this spring, the agency announced, reaching 21,471 agents — the most in the agency’s 102-year history.

Agency leadership has said it has plans to go further.

"Surpassing 21,000 agents is a milestone, but we aren’t stopping here and are committed to growing our workforce and providing the tools and resources needed for CBP’s mission," Human Resources Management Assistant Commissioner Andrea Bright said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

The staffing record adds another benchmark for assessing the seriousness with which the Trump administration is addressing border security.

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Already, immigration levels have dropped precipitously in President Donald Trump's first year and a half back in office, decreasing more than 87% from levels in October 2024.

But Republicans in Congress have also shored up those efforts by flooding the agency with cash through Trump’s signature Big Beautiful Bill as well as recent efforts to fund the Department of Homeland Security through the end of the administration.

The two bills included $64 billion and $26 billion for CBP, respectively. A large portion of the second bill is set aside for agency manpower.

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"Our focus is on bringing in top talent and supporting our agents so they can succeed," Bright said.

In order to reach its personnel goals, the agency has worked to include competitive salaries, benefits and hiring incentives that can reach upwards of $60,000 for agents in eligible locations, CBP officials said.

In particular, the agency has hopes to attract talent from former U.S. servicemembers.

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Rosario Vasquez believes the record-breaking staffing levels are evidence that those efforts are paying off.

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"This record-setting achievement highlights the effectiveness of our recruitment efforts," Vasquez said.

"We are building a stronger workforce every day, and our progress toward 25,000 agents will further enhance our ability to protect our borders and serve the nation," she continued.