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From: MORGAN, MARK A 
sent: Friday, December 09, 2015-- 
To: ussp All Staff
Suhlcm My First observations and Way Forward
Alumina-ts: 0m! testimony lor HSGAC noocx
To all USBP personnel, 
ou know what's going on back here in Washington Dc, as well as, share a
rocus on moving lorwavdu 

I wanted to take a couple of minutes to let .
few ocservaiions We had during my first four months as your Chief, and what we need 

ofa new ad ministration, As with any transition, there is a lot of work to he
sistance of many sectors. Although there is much

First, we're all preparing for the "transition
we will

done and we've assembled a strong team back here at HQ, with the as . .
to prepare lor, this is absolutely an exciting time -- as we have a great opportunity to "tell our story. In doing so,
challenging, and complicated mission cfthe

educate the transition team of the new administration concerning the vast, .
the criticality It plays In our nation's securitvl We will outline and flame where we are, along With

USBP, as well as,
identified gaps, requirements, and strategies to lead us in the future.

Second, rd like to discuss my primary observations during my first 100 days or so, During this time, I've traveled to (1 t)
sectors, the Academy, soc, and the Canine Training facility. This has alto rdeo me the opportunity to talk with a nd stand

In front or thousands or agents and mission support personnel -- listening, fielding questions, and seeing first-hand the
incredible mission you're asked to do every day! so, what are my lirst and most important observations? The men and

woman at the united States Border Patrol have one of the toughest jobs in teral law eniorcementl We are an
organization filled with people who are dedicated to the mission, this country, each other, and doing something greater

than themselves. you are tenaclous in your pursuit or getting better, being innovative, and have a "can-do"
attitudel interaction has strengthen my commitment and resolve concerning one of my primary duties as your
chier-- to ensure you, who serve on the front lines or our nation's borders, have the tools, training, resources, and
common sense policies to do your job effectively and safely,

We learned our mission goes well beyond our national security and law enforcement mission of protecting 6,000 land
and 2,000 coastal border miles against anything which could do us harm, vou have risked your lives to rescue more than
4,000 people In FY 16 alone. There Isn'tan agency in this country which even comes close to this. You have been asked,
fur a while now, to participate in a humanitarlan/refugee mission which you aren't trained to do and I don't believe we
should he invoivcd with to the degree we are, Simply stated, providing protesslonal child care and other similar services,
should he left to other agencies to manage and facilitate. Although this IS having a negative Impact on our ability to get
back to the border to do what country expects of us, you have and continue to demonstrate your resolve and "cans
du" attltude in dolng what you're asked to do. Showing once again, your dedication, commitment, and strong work
ethic, which is the backbone ofthe Lastly, it has been surprising for me tn learn, you are the most assaulted law
enforcement agency in the unlted States - mnre than 7,400 USBP agents have been assaulted Since 2006 and the
assaults are rising--a 200% increase from this time last year. our adversary's training, tactics, and procedures continue
to evolve and therefore, we, as an organization must continue to "get better" to not only provlde you with what you
need to perform your duties safely, but also deliver a strong system at consequences to any subject who assaults an
agent. I relect any statement from anyone who says "It's part of being an agent". This is an unacceptable justification

for not delivering stro ng consequences.

I wanted to provide a few key areas we will be focusing on as we continue to evolve as an organilation 
532?" these recentiy'as pan of my testimony with the members of the Committee on Homeland Security and
nmenta Afialrsi lincluded the verbal portion of my Opening testimony (attached) which outlines (11) focus areas'

1



our workforce;
smart investments in resources needed 

expand information technolo
develop a proactive communi
provide additional details as 

i also wanted to provide context and clarification concer
clear what my position is regarding immigration reform.
referred to as ?blanket amnesty?. This assertion con
to my testimony. What i actually support is



I can assure you as we navigate through the transition,

enhancing our intelligence driven strategy and situational

awareness; evaluating current policy and laws;

0 fill gaps; organizational agility; strengthen our enforcement operations;
gy systems; human intelligence; personnel needs; getting "badges back to the border?;
cations strategy; and enhance our performance metrics. in the coming weeks, we?il
finaiize our overall 
ning a statement 1 made during my testimony. i want to be
i do not, as some have suggested, support what is often
id not he further from my position. i encourage everyone to listen

reform which does the following:

 

Takes a sincere iook at numerous policies and laws currently in place which impede the ability of the

USBP to accomplish what the American people expect us to do;

Provides a robust Consequence Delivery System;

government approach which limits the release of illegal
we know can take years;

 

Expands infrastructure to support a whole-of?
aliens into the interior of the US. prior to their asylum hearing whic
on courts in an effort to dramatically address the backlog of cases,

improves our current immigrati
dges and pushing them closer to the border;

including hiring more immigration ju

Allows us to enforce current laws without being impeding by limiting "enforcement priorities?;

Limits the use of Voluntarily Release only in extenuating circumstances;

increases the use of Expedited Removal while limiting the ability of current laws to be exploited by
allowing iliegai aliens to be ?re?determined? under a Notice to Appear which again, results in the illegal
aliens being released into the interior ofthe United States prior to any final asylum determination;
Stops the abuse of the asylum process, specifically credible fear, and better defines critical elements
within the law to reduce know areas of exploitation.

we will make effort to bring these concerns, as well, as many

other issues, to the forefront.

Thank you for all you do,

Mark

Link to testimony:



 

Tr??
- - . .21, .

 

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.. .. .. ., . .. WW,