The National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), the union that represents more than 16,500 border patrol agents, opposes the House border security bill (H.R. 399) because it is mere “window dressing” - joining the immigration officers' union, which called the bill "a global joke."

“This legislation speaks about metrics but frankly does not provide either the strategy or the resources necessary to achieve them,” NBPC Spokesman Shawn Moran says of the contentiously-named "Secure Our Borders First Act."

“Although there are some positive elements to H.R. 399, we believe in it’s entirety it will only serve as window dressing and was drafted without any input [from] front line agents who are protecting out border," he adds.

Specifically, the agents want a bill that provides border agents with more manpower, training, and resources (rifles, gear, and communication technology).

A day earlier, the union representing the nation's immigration officers and adjudicators issued a statement condemning H.R. 399.