Retired Texas Border Patrol agent Eddie Gonzalez has highlighted the connection between illegal immigration and rising crime in the United States, drawing on his 30 years of experience along the southern border. Gonzalez, who formerly served as a U.S. police officer, noted that a significant portion of criminal activity he encountered involved illegal immigrants, many of whom were either recruited by organized criminal groups or driven to commit offenses out of economic desperation.

“Most of the crime we dealt with was with illegal immigration,” Gonzalez explained. “Immigrants are recruited by criminal organizations or they turn to crime to help gain money.” He stressed that systemic barriers to employment for undocumented individuals often leave them vulnerable to exploitation and illegal activity, fueling a cycle of crime that affects communities nationwide.

Gonzalez’s remarks underscore concerns voiced by law enforcement and security experts that the lack of effective border control and inadequate immigration enforcement can have tangible public safety consequences. According to his decades of frontline experience, addressing these vulnerabilities is critical to reducing the recruitment of immigrants by criminal enterprises and curbing desperation-driven offenses.

The former officer’s perspective also highlights the broader debate over immigration policy, labor access, and national security. Gonzalez advocates for stronger border security, enhanced vetting, and policies that reduce the opportunity for criminal networks to exploit vulnerable populations, framing these measures as essential to protecting both citizens and immigrants from harm.

By drawing attention to the links between illegal immigration and crime, Gonzalez aims to inform policymakers and the public about the urgent need for comprehensive reforms that address both security and economic opportunity along the U.S.-Mexico border.