Rep. Dan Crenshaw introduced the Anti-Border Corruption Improvement Act of 2023 last week to remove barriers to CBP agent hiring for applicants with certain credentials.
The bill would remove the polygraph requirement for CBP applicants who have prior law enforcement experience or military security clearances. As CBP is overwhelmed with the out-of-control crisis at our southern border, they also are facing a recruitment problem.
Approximately 2/3 of applicants fail the polygraph test, which comes at one of the last steps in an extensive, long hiring process.
"The polygraph is an interrogation tool," Rep. Crenshaw said. "It's useful for me as an intelligence officer when I want to vet an asset. It is not useful legally. It is thrown out in court. It is not useful for hiring purposes, and this bill aims to fix that."
“As this administration continues to fail to secure the border and put a strain on Customs and Border Protection, it is imperative that we use all tools available to us to protect our county and its citizens,” said co-sponsor Congressman Jake Ellzey. “For too long, the CBP has been understaffed and outmanned, and the Anti-Border Corruption Improvement Act will help address these problems. I am happy to join my colleague and friend Dan Crenshaw in reintroducing this legislation to help law enforcement officers do what they do best. Protect the American people.”
“I am proud to stand with my colleagues to introduce legislation to expedite the hiring process for veterans and former law enforcement to become CBP agents and officers,” said co-sponsor Congressman Juan Ciscomani. “With record numbers of migrant encounters and the massive increase in fentanyl trafficking, our agents need reinforcements right away. This legislation is an important step to address the crisis at the Southern Border and to ensure that CBP is properly staffed.”