Ciscomani, Stanton Introduce Legislation to Improve CBP Hiring Flexibilities

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressmen Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) introduced new legislation today to improve U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) flexibilities in hiring, recruiting, and retaining agents, officers, and employees, specifically in rural and remote areas. 

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Hiring and Retention (CBP HiRe) Act would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary to determine if there is a hiring need due to the remote nature of rural locations, which often makes it hard to recruit CBP employees. The CBP HiRe Act also requires DHS to annually review if further hiring flexibilities are still needed. On average, it takes 400 days for CBP to hire personnel.

“With morale, recruitment, and retention at an all-time low for CBP, it’s crucial that we send a message to Border Patrol that we have their backs,” said Ciscomani. “Whether it’s hiring bonuses or improved benefits, we must prioritize maintaining and bolstering the men and women in green who defend our borders day in and day out.”

“In conversation after conversation with Arizona border officials, one of their top concerns is manpower,” said Stanton. “This bipartisan bill will ensure that there are the boots on the ground needed to secure rural and remote areas of our southern border.”

Specifically, if it is determined that there is a critical hiring need in rural or remote areas, the bill allows for:

1. Direct Hire Authority: Grants the DHS Secretary with special expedited hiring authority, allowing the agency to forgo the typically required bureaucratic process.
2. Recruitment and relocation bonuses: If deemed necessary, provides recruitment incentives to new employees and relocation incentives to current employees to relocate to a different area. Employees receiving bonuses must enter into a written service agreement for at least two years.
3. Retention bonuses: Allows DHS to offer a retention bonus if an employee is likely to leave CBP. Employees receiving bonuses must also enter into a written service agreement for at least two years.
4. Special Pay Authority: Gives DHS the ability to use rural and remote location for consideration of a special pay rate.
5. Student Loan Repayment: Allows eligible employees to receive federal student loan repayment, which is currently at the discretion of the agency.

The legislation is supported by the National Treasury Employee Union, Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, the Border Trade Alliance, the Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority, Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, Pima County Board of Supervisors, Chamberlain Inc., Douglas Regional Economic Development Corporation, Douglas International Port Authority, and Greater Yuma Port Authority. It is also endorsed by local officials Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, San Luis Mayor Nieves Riedel, Douglas Mayor Don Huish, Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls, Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy, and Yuma County Board of Supervisors. Full text of the bill is available here.