New bill seeks to waive polygraph tests for some CBP recruits

Senators Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) are proposing a new bill to waive polygraph tests for applicants with law enforcement or military backgrounds.

According to Flake’s office, The Boots on the Border Act would let Customs and Border Protection waive lie-detector tests for applicants with the following qualifications:

Local and state law enforcement officers who:

– Have served for at least three years with no break in service.

– Have statutory powers to arrest or apprehend a person in violation of the law.

– Are not currently under investigation or previously found to have engaged in criminal activity or serious misconduct and

– Have successfully completed a polygraph as a condition of employment with their current law enforcement agency.

Federal law enforcement officers who:

-Have served for no less than three years with no break in service.

-Have the authority to make arrests, conduct investigations, bear firearms, and serve warrants.

– Are not currently under investigation or previously found to have engaged in criminal activity or serious misconduct and

– Hold a current/in-scope Tier 4 background investigation or Tier 5 single-scope background investigation as a condition of employment with their current law enforcement agency.

Transitioning members of the Armed Forces, veterans, or members of the Reserves of the National Guard who:

-Have served at least four years in the Armed Forces.

-Have held a security clearance within the past five years.

-Have undergone a current/in-scope Tier 4 background investigation or Tier 5 single-scope background investigation in the past five years.

-Have received or are eligible to receive an honorable discharge and

-Have not engaged in criminal activity or serious misconduct under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

In the meantime, Yuma Sector Border Patrol are holding a job fair on March 10, at the Goodwill Career Center located at 3097 S. 8th Ave. The job fair will be be held from 9 a.m to 4 p.m., with a break from noon to 1 p.m.