The president of the National Border Patrol Council, Paul Perez, joined Chicago’s Morning Answer to sound off on what he called dangerous political theater, corporate cowardice, and a double standard that undermines immigration enforcement and endangers public safety.
Perez’s appearance with host Dan Proft followed news coverage of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation in Los Angeles, where officers were seen arriving in Penske rental trucks. After online backlash, Penske released a statement distancing itself from the operation and vowing to enforce its vehicle use policies. Perez viewed the company’s reaction as indicative of the corporate world’s fear of cancellation and capitulation to activist pressure.
“These companies are quick to condemn law enforcement use of their vehicles,” Perez said, “but where are they when traffickers and smugglers use those same trucks to cram people into sweltering trailers, sometimes with deadly results?”
Perez also blasted the broader political climate, where ICE and Border Patrol agents have come under attack, both rhetorically and physically. He cited a recent arson attack on the ICE field office in Yakima, Washington, and pointed to a climate of hostility that has been fostered by sanctuary city leaders and left-wing members of Congress. “Our people are assaulted, doxed, and demonized simply for enforcing the law,” Perez said.
Chicago came under direct scrutiny during the interview, with Proft replaying remarks from Mayor Brandon Johnson reiterating the city’s “welcoming ordinance,” which forbids local police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Perez was blunt in his assessment: “They’re choosing to protect people who are in the country illegally over the safety of their own constituents.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker was also called out for his support of sanctuary policies, with Perez saying such leadership has helped contribute to a rise in criminal activity involving undocumented immigrants. While not all incidents are reported, he said, “every day, President Trump is proven right,” referencing cases in which deportation targets were later revealed to have violent criminal records.
Asked about the current state of the southern border, Perez said it was the most secure he’s seen in nearly three decades of service—under the leadership of President Trump. “It took less than a month after the election for the cartels to adjust their behavior,” he said, noting that the administration’s policy changes had immediate deterrent effects without new legislation. “We didn’t need a new law. We just needed a president who wanted the border secure.”
Perez credited the Trump administration for empowering frontline agents with leadership and support, praising former officials like Tom Homan and Stephen Miller for creating what he called a blueprint for border security that was promptly discarded by President Biden.
Despite the challenging climate, Perez said Border Patrol and ICE agents remain committed to their mission. While growing concerns about personal safety have led some agents to obscure their identities during field operations, Perez said the rhetoric and threats would not deter them from doing their jobs. “Our agents care about securing America and protecting its citizens,” he said.
Regarding allegations of abuse and misconduct by ICE agents, Perez argued that such claims are often based on selectively edited videos meant to provoke outrage. He said members of Congress who show up to detention facilities with cameras in tow are more interested in “political theater” than oversight. “They know the process,” he said. “If they follow it, they’ll get access. But that’s not the goal—they want spectacle.”
Ultimately, Perez warned that the current hostility toward immigration enforcement is unsustainable. “The American people deserve to know the truth,” he said. “There are dangerous individuals in this country who shouldn’t be here, and we’re doing everything we can to remove them. But we need the support—not sabotage—of political leaders and corporations to do it.”