SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Joint Task Force – West (JTF-W) Director Manuel Padilla, Jr. told Breitbart News that physical barriers on the U.S. southern border actually do matter during a 45-minute exclusive interview.
“Do you think the physical barriers really do matter?” Breitbart News Border and Cartels Director Brandon Darby asked Director Padilla. “Oh absolutely, absolutely,” the director emphatically responded.
“I actually started talking about those things when we were very busy in South Texas,” Padilla explained. “And if you look at it proportionally, the tactical infrastructure that we have — to include the walls — is a lot less in South Texas than in other parts of the country.”
Prior to his appointment as the Department of Homeland Security’s Joint Task Force — West, Padilla served as Chief Patrol agent for the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector — the nation’s busiest sector for migrant apprehensions.
“That’s nobody’s fault,” the director continued, “we were very busy in El Paso, we were very busy in San Diego in years past and it’s kind of shifted traffic to different areas.”
Jamaican man illegally in US arrested in Florida for sex crimes involving teenager: sheriff
Arkansas nurse charged with using dead patient’s name in attempt to purchase hundreds of oxycodone pills
55 victims in Washington, DC midair collision pulled from Potomac River as recovery operation continues
Musk’s DOGE takes aim at ‘viper’s nest’ federal agency with global footprint
Trump defends tariffs, accuses Canada of being ‘very abusive of the United States’: video
LA freeway blocked by anti-deportation protesters in response to Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration
Busy week ahead for Trump, Cabinet picks
DNC lambasted for ‘beyond parody’ leadership vote that included singing, gender rules: ‘Can’t stop laughing’
Cops Snag Massive Number of Roosters During Bust of Cockfighting Ring
NY Dems working to keep Stefanik’s House seat vacant for months in latest scheme against Trump: assemblyman
Airplane wing strikes tug vehicle at Chicago airport, leaving driver hospitalized
Outrage After What Chinese Zookeepers Did to New Tiger Exhibit Comes to Light
Fetterman says RFK Jr confirmation ‘not a slam dunk,’ as Trump HHS nominee shores up support
New DNC vice chair previously called for ICE to be abolished
Skydiver plummets to death in Arizona, marks second parachutist death in 8 days
“The 654 miles of border that we have in place have been built to some extent or another under previous administrations,” he stated. “I think this administration is focused not only on border security but on law and order in general.
“I was very hopeful, very happy when I saw that this administration was very focused on establishing the personnel, technology, and infrastructure to the levels that we are working on and also that engagement with Mexico and Central America,” Padilla concluded.
Director Padilla’s full interview with Brandon Darby:
President Donald Trump appointed Director Padilla to lead the Department of Homeland Security’s Joint Task Force — West in October 2018. The task force coordinates the assets and personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal agencies to secure the U.S. southwest border.
Story cited here.
