Former Border Patrol Chief Chris Clem on Securing the Border and Protecting Migrant Children

On this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down in Yuma, Arizona with Chris Clem, former Border Patrol sector chief and senior adviser on border security and child trafficking issues.

Chief Clem explains how border security in Yuma has dramatically changed—from thousands of illegal crossings per day to a fraction of that—thanks to renewed enforcement, local–federal cooperation, and investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill. He breaks down why border security isn’t just about immigration, but also economic security, food security, and community safety, especially in an area that supplies much of America’s produce.

The conversation also tackles one of the most heartbreaking consequences of the border crisis: unaccompanied migrant children. Clem shares updates on efforts to locate, rescue, and protect tens of thousands of missing children who were lost under previous policies, emphasizing why this is not a partisan issue—but a moral American responsibility.

This episode offers an inside look at what real border enforcement looks like on the ground, why morale among Border Patrol agents has rebounded, and what it will take to ensure long-term security and accountability.