A former sheriff in Arizona could still be in the running to be U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s next commissioner, according to local reports.
There have been few, if any, signals so far about who President Trump is considering to lead U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the nation’s largest law enforcement agency with almost 60,000 employees. But, we now know someone who won’t get the job.
Last week, the CBS News local affiliate in Phoenix confirmed that Frank Milstead, the Arizona director of public safety, was passed over for CBP commissioner by the Trump administration.
Arizona Public Media has also reported that former Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu was on the Trump short-list for the job.
Babeu, a vocal supporter of Trump during the presidential campaign who lost a recent election for Congress, has been a fierce advocate for securing the southwestern border to prevent illegal immigration, and recently supported the administration’s travel ban from seven Muslim-majority countries. He has also called for expedited deportations of illegal immigrants who have committed criminal acts, according to the Casa Grande Dispatch.
The news suggests the first focus of a Trump administration Customs commissioner may be on the border patrol and other aspects of immigration control. The agency is also responsible for efficiently managing the cross-border flow of legitimate imports and exports, while preventing smuggling of dangerous materials, unsafe products and illegal shipments.
Report: Ariz. official passed over to be CBP commissioner
