Flake works toward CBP hiring policy changes to increase manpower at border

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) committed to making a series of changes geared to boost manpower at understaffed ports of entry along the southern border at a recent meeting convened by U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ).

CBP Assistant Commissioner Linda Jacksta committed to requiring CBP national recruiters to prioritize recruiting for open positions statewide rather than in designated regions, to increase incentive pay in Arizona from 25 percent to 33 percent, and to expedite the hiring process for former military officers.

“After years of working to boost manpower at ports of entry along Arizona’s border with Mexico, it’s encouraging to see CBP finally tackling its hiring problems head-on,” Flake said.

Flake’s efforts to step-up CBP manpower along the southern border date back to 2014 when he secured congressional authorization to create 2,000 new CBP officer positions. In 2015, his Border Jobs for Veterans Act was signed into law, and Flake introduced the Boots on the Border Act earlier this year to waive duplicative polygraph requirements for applicants with law enforcement or military backgrounds.

“Securing these policy changes has been a major goal in the ongoing effort to facilitate trade and secure the border,” Flake added.

Flake also introduced the Customs and Border Protection Hiring Retention Act in June. The measure would allow CBP to use incentives like pay rates to reach staffing levels authorized by Congress.