Bill Introduced by Congressman Shuler to Reduce Corruption & Promote Security along the U.S./Mexico Border Passes House
Press Release
Today, a bill introduced by Congressman Heath Shuler (D-Waynesville) to prevent corruption among U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents was passed unanimously by the U.S. House. The Anti-Border Corruption Act (H.R. 6472/S. 3243) previously passed the Senate and will now go to the President to be signed into law.
The Department of Justice has identified Mexican drug cartels the most dangerous organized crime threat facing our nation. Growing violence at the border has forced both the American and Mexican governments to increase security forces. In August of this year, Congress appropriated $600 million in emergency spending to hire 1,000 new Border Patrol agents. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that Mexican cartels are meeting this increase in security presence with a surge in bribery and intimidation of law enforcement officials. In 2009, 129 officials were arrested on corruption charges.
"Mexican drug cartels are the driving force behind the explosion of violence in both Mexico and the southwest United States," said Rep. Shuler. "If we are going to ensure border security and safety, we absolutely must have a strong and reliable Border Patrol force. The vast majority of border patrol agents are brave and honorable men and women who work tirelessly to protect our country. However, the corruption of even a few of these individuals could put lives in danger and greatly undermine our efforts to fight the cartels and stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people across our border."
Congressman Shuler's Anti-Border Corruption Act mandates the use of polygraph exams for all CBP applicants and periodic retesting for current employees. Polygraph testing is shown to be highly effective at weeding-out unfit applicants who pose a greater threat of corruption while also avoiding expensive comprehensive background checks for these individuals. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano wrote recently, "rigorous initial investigations and regular, periodic reinvestigations are essential tools to combat corruption."
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