An off-duty Border Patrol agent was shot in the face by an unauthorized migrant during a brazen robbery attempt in New York City, spotlighting the dangers of lax border policies.

According to Breitbart, the suspect, identified as Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, a Dominican national, illegally re-entered the U.S. in April 2023 and was released under Biden administration catch-and-release policies despite a criminal history.

Video footage from the Department of Homeland Security shows two men on a moped entering a park along the Hudson River, where one of them approached the agent sitting near the riverbank. The suspect allegedly pulled a weapon and fired, striking the agent twice. Miraculously, the agent returned fire, wounding the attacker before he fled on the moped.

Agent’s Heroism Amid Gunfire

The gunfire exchange lasted about 25 seconds, with the agent seeking cover while bravely defending himself. Despite wounds to his face and forearm, he managed to hit the suspect three times. Reports confirm the agent survived surgery and remains in stable condition.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem revealed Mora Nunez was apprehended by Border Patrol near San Luis, Arizona, after his illegal re-entry. Yet, due to overcrowded detention facilities, he was released into the U.S. interior. This decision, rooted in Biden-era protocols, raises serious questions about public safety.

Mora Nunez’s rap sheet is extensive, with a 2003 final order of removal making his re-entry a felony. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin noted prior arrests for felony assaults, alongside a Massachusetts warrant for kidnapping. How such a record didn’t warrant detention is a policy puzzle worth solving.

Criminal History Ignored by Policy

In New York City alone, Mora Nunez racked up at least four arrests, including assaulting a pregnant woman and threatening another migrant with a machete. Each time, he was released without bail. This revolving door of justice seems to mock the very concept of accountability.

Additional charges piled up, with arrests for violating an order of protection and a bench warrant issued in January. Still, no sustained detention. It’s a glaring example of how progressive criminal justice reforms can sometimes prioritize ideology over citizen safety.

After being shot by the agent, Mora Nunez sought treatment at a Bronx hospital, where he was taken into custody. The moped driver, his accomplice, remains at large. The New York City Police Department continues to investigate this failed robbery attempt.

Trump Blasts Biden’s Border Failures

President Donald Trump weighed in on Truth Social, praising the agent who “bravely fought off his attacker, despite his wounds, demonstrating enormous Skill and Courage.” He didn’t mince words, calling the shooter a “Monster freed into the Country under Joe Biden.” Trump’s frustration echoes a broader conservative concern about border security being sacrificed for political correctness.

The agent’s survival is a testament to his training and grit, but it shouldn’t have come to this. Policies that release known offenders into communities create predictable risks. It’s a bitter pill when our protectors bear the brunt of such misguided decisions.

Conservatives argue this incident is a direct result of Biden’s catch-and-release approach, which they see as an open invitation to chaos. While empathy for migrants seeking better lives is understandable, ignoring criminal histories isn’t compassion—it’s negligence. The line must be drawn at protecting American lives first.

Policy Debate Heats Up

Mora Nunez was among nearly 212,000 unauthorized migrants who crossed the southern border in April 2023, per U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports. Overcrowding might explain short-term releases, but long-term solutions are overdue. Border security isn’t just a slogan; it’s a necessity.

The fallout from this shooting will likely fuel calls for stricter enforcement and detention protocols. Critics of the current administration argue that without real reform, such violent encounters will only multiply. It’s a debate that demands facts over feelings, and results over rhetoric.

For now, the agent’s recovery offers a sliver of relief in a story that could have ended far worse. But as long as policies prioritize optics over outcomes, the risks remain. America’s border agents—and its citizens—deserve better than being pawns in a political game.