U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) listens during a town hall at NOAH Cholla Health Center on March 17, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
"If you’ve already served in the military or law enforcement, we shouldn’t be making you jump through unnecessary hoops just to serve your country again. I’m proud to lead this bill to help CBP hire border agents and port officers faster, cut bureaucracy, and keep our border secure," he continued.
Similar legislation was introduced in the House before, including by Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, during the border crisis in 2023 and in 2019.
Gallego’s decision to bring back the idea, which amends the Anti-Border Corruption Act of 2010, comes amid concerns that a high number of retirements could hinder the agency, as well as the current CBP hiring process being 11 steps.
SOUTHERN BORDER APPREHENSIONS PLUNGE MORE THAN 90% FROM YEAR AGO IN APRIL, CBP SAYS
The Defense Department is creating a program to allow its civilian workforce to volunteer to go to the southern border to support operations there.
On the House side, a push has been made through Homeland Security appropriations on CBP polygraph requirements, according to Bloomberg Government.
As illegal border crossings continue to be at record lows since Trump took office, ports of entry continue to be a major focus for stopping illicit drug trafficking into the U.S., including fentanyl. Congress has been the primary focus of the long-term discussion on immigration and border security, including the ongoing reconciliation bill debate.
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When it comes to CBP shortages, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, introduced legislation last month to mandate CBP to hire a minimum of 1,000 people annually until they are fully staffed.
"When ports of entry aren’t sufficiently staffed, we run the risk of legitimate trade and travel grinding to a halt," Cornyn said in a statement last month. "Nowhere do we feel this more acutely than in Texas where we have more ports of entry than any other state, which is why I am proud to cosponsor this legislation to ensure our ports have the personnel needed to handle the safe and legal flow of people and goods into our nation."
Cameron Arcand is a politics writer at Fox News Digital in Washington D.C. Story tips can be sent to Cameron.Arcand@Fox.com and on Twitter: @cameron_arcand
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/border-patrol-could-face-key-recruitment-change-congress-debates-next-immigration-moves