Border Patrol agents sold challenge coins with “Charlotte’s Web” characters in riot gear

US Border Patrol Agents raise money by selling coins commemorating last year’s wave of immigration enforcement “operations” across the country, along with other merchandise. The funds are allocated to the non-profit organizations listed Border Patrol Buildings as their address on IRS paperwork. At least two organizations have been designated US Customs and Border Protection Email addresses.

The front of one coin for sale reads “NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2025,” along with the abbreviations US Border Patrol and the abbreviation “fuck about and find out” — a phrase initially popularized by the far-right group Proud Boys and used by several Trump officials. In the center, the coin depicts a gas mask, riot control smoke grenade, and pepper ball launcher. On the other hand, the coin appears to bear the image of the currently retired Commander-in-Chief of the Border Guard, Gregory Bovinowith his arm raised in salute, with the text “Coming to a city near you!” It lists seven cities, many of which have already seen increases in federal law enforcement in 2025: Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis, Phoenix, Portland, Charlotte, and Atlanta.

The coin is being offered for sale by Willcox Morale Welfare and Recreation, a non-profit organization recently announced by the IRS Tax free During the Biden administration, whose address on IRS paperwork matches that of the Wilcox Border Patrol Station in Arizona. A request for comment sent to the Willcox MWR’s designated CBP email address was not responded to.

Employees of the Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency of the Border Patrol, are allowed to start private, non-profit employee associations within DHS, as long as they receive official recognition by the agency and follow certain rules. according to Department of Homeland Security policiesofficially recognized groups can fundraise using government property and create merchandise bearing the agency’s name and logos — but they must obtain prior approval from the agency.

Willcox MWR is just one of several groups across the country that serve Border Patrol agents and refer to themselves as MWRs, a reference to the U.S. Army’s “Morale, Welfare and Recreation” programs. The groups tend to hold holiday events and retirement parties, sometimes raising money for the families of agents who are falling on hard times, including those who are not getting paid during the current shutdown.

Many MWRs also sell custom medals known as “challenge coins” that commemorate specific teams or events. While anyone, including CBP graduates, can design and sell coins, current DHS employees are not supposed to use government resources to sell those that use the agency’s seals or logos without authorization, or that the agency deems inappropriate or unprofessional.

CBP did not provide any comment about its relationship with Willcox MWR or any other nonprofit mentioned in this story, nor whether the agency greenlighted the “North American Round” coin design prior to publication.

Under Willcox MWR’s Facebook post about the “North American Tour” coin, someone named Juan Diego commented: “Sign up for SDC BK5 MWR for 10.”

“Send us an email,” one of the people running the Willcox MWR account responded, giving what appeared to be a personalized message. cbp.dhs.gov Group email address.

SDC BK5 MWR, also a registered nonprofit, lists an address on its website that matches that of a government facility in Chula Vista, California. It says on its site that it was started by Border Patrol agents in the San Diego Sector and sells custom merchandise “designed to raise money for morale and relief efforts.”

Diego did not respond to a request for comment.

The SDC BK5 MWR website has listings for over 200 different products as well as North American round coins. One of those lists was A “Chicago Midway Blitz” The challenge coin is shaped like a gas mask that can be used as a bottle opener. Engraved around the edges of the coin are the names of several municipalities and neighborhoods included in the Department of Homeland Security Increase immigration enforcement with the same name last fall. Like the North American Tour coin, it bears the US Border Patrol logo and the abbreviation for “fuck about and find out.” Opponents of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement activity in Illinois are not amused.