Internet outraged as ex-Border Patrol chief Raul Ortiz say Biden and Kamala Harris 'never' spoke with him

EAGLE PASS, TEXAS: In a scathing critique of the Biden administration's handling of the ongoing migrant crisis at the US-Mexico border, Raul Ortiz, the former head of the US Border Patrol, revealed that neither President Joe Biden nor Vice President Kamala Harris ever engaged in discussions with him during his tenure.

Ortiz, who led the Border Patrol for two years until his retirement in May, highlighted the lack of communication with the nation's top leaders, saying it was a significant problem.

Former Border Patrol chief Raul Ortiz's revelations

"I’ve never had one conversation with the president or vice president," Ortiz disclosed during an interview with '60 Minutes' on Sunday, March 3. "I was the chief of the Border Patrol, I commanded 21,000 people. That’s a problem," he added.

Ortiz, who oversaw a tumultuous period marked by a surge in border crossings and the formation of migrant camps, including the massive encampment under the Del Rio bridge housing thousands of Haitian migrants, criticized the administration for sending mixed messages to migrants.

Responding to a question about the clarity of the White House's messaging, Ortiz bluntly affirmed, "Yes, most definitely."

"We need to make sure that Central America, South America, Mexico, that those regions understand that if you pay a smuggler and you cross in between the ports of entry and you do not have a legitimate claim to some sort of asylum benefit, you’re gonna be sent back," Ortiz stressed.

Despite overseeing approximately 4.5 million migrant encounters during his tenure, Ortiz never had the opportunity to meet with Biden or Harris, raising concerns about the administration's engagement with border security issues.

"That's a really bad look if that's the case, that Biden is not in communication with the chief Border Patrol agent down there," Seth McKee, a politics professor at Oklahoma State University, told NBC Montana.

It's worth noting that the lack of communication only serves to fuel Republican criticisms of Biden's approach to border security.

The Biden administration's handling of the border crisis has faced intense scrutiny, particularly from Republican lawmakers and officials. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has clashed with the federal government over border security measures, stressed the need for comprehensive strategies beyond political posturing.

Ortiz echoed this sentiment, criticizing the use of National Guard troops and Border Patrol agents as pawns in a political game that ultimately benefits criminal cartels.

“When agencies are making a decision based upon politics or whether they're going to get media coverage, ‘Hey, we're going to put all our personnel in this 2-mile stretch,’” Ortiz said, “What about the other 200 miles?” he added.

The border crisis has become a focal point in American politics, with immigration ranking as the top concern according to a recent Gallup poll. Disapproval of Biden's immigration policies is widespread, with just 28% of Americans approving of his approach, according to Gallup.

Additionally, the Pew Research Center found that 80% of Americans believe the government is doing a poor job at the border, reflecting bipartisan dissatisfaction with current policies.

Social media uproar over ex Border Patrol chief's revelations

The Biden administration was excoriated on social media following Ortiz's revelations.

"How can this possibly be??? The administration CARES SO MUCH about the border and yet not 1 call from Biden or the border czar, Harris. Watch what they do, not what they say. Raul Ortiz better get ready to be arrested by the FBI," one posted on X.

"That's not surprising, for the Biden administration the chaos at the border was a solution, not a problem," another wrote.

"Why the mixed signals," someone else wondered.

"If they let someone speak who really knows what’s happening at the border they won’t be able to control the narrative with their low-information voters," another alleged.