US Border Patrol polygraph test wipes out half of eligible applicants (2024)

Nearly half of new US Customs and Border Protection recruits are failing mandatory polygraph tests, causing a crisis in the agency which is struggling to replace thousands of agents who are scheduled to retire in the near future, according to a report.

“We’re losing a lot of people, including those who have prior military service, who have active security clearances, and they fail a CBP polygraph,” Jon Anfinsen, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council, told Fox News this week. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

Anfinsen added that nearly 50 percent fail the polygraph or lie-detector component of the vetting process, putting a strain on the federal agency’s capability to hire new agents.

Although the tests are not admissible in court and have been banned by most private companies to screen employees, they have been mandatory for Border Patrol for the last 10 years.

US Border Patrol polygraph test wipes out half of eligible applicants (1)
US Border Patrol polygraph test wipes out half of eligible applicants (2)

“They’ll go any other place where they’re not treated like a criminal during that portion of the hiring process,” Anfinsen said. “We’re losing a lot of really great people because of this polygraph portion.”

Polygraph test failures are not a new concern for Border Patrol agents. Two out of three CBP applicants who took a polygraph failed,The Associated Pressreported in 2017. The FBI and Secret Service’s failure rates were about half that, according to the same report.

With Post wires

US Border Patrol polygraph test wipes out half of eligible applicants (2024)

FAQs

US Border Patrol polygraph test wipes out half of eligible applicants? ›

Nearly 50% of recruits fail the polygraph or lie-detector component, the vice president of the National Border Patrol Council

National Border Patrol Council
The National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) is a labor union established in 1967 that represents agents and support staff on the United States Border Patrol.
https://en.wikipedia.org › National_Border_Patrol_Council
said. “They'll go any other place where they're not treated like a criminal during that portion of the hiring process,” Anfinsen said.

Is Border Patrol getting rid of polygraph test? ›

Dan Crenshaw introduced the Anti-Border Corruption Improvement Act of 2023 last week to remove barriers to CBP agent hiring for applicants with certain credentials. The bill would remove the polygraph requirement for CBP applicants who have prior law enforcement experience or military security clearances.

What happens if you fail Border Patrol polygraph? ›

If I do not successfully complete the CBP polygraph examination, will that preclude me from applying for other federal law enforcement positions? No. Other agencies can request the status of your application process with CBP, but the results do not preclude you from applying for other jobs.

Does CBP share polygraph results? ›

For example, if someone undergoes a CBP background investigation and/or a polygraph and then applies for a job with another federal agency, CBP will share the results if the federal agency requests them.

How do you pass a Border Patrol polygraph? ›

Tips for passing the CBP polygraph

Speak clearly and confidently. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you don't understand a question. If you are unsure of an answer, say so. It is better to admit uncertainty than to provide false information.

How many CBP applicants fail the polygraph? ›

Two out of three Border Patrol job applicants fail polygraph test, making hiring difficult. A portion of the U.S.-Mexico border fence at Otay Mountain, Calif.

How many people fail the Border Patrol polygraph? ›

Although the tests are not admissible in court and have been banned by most private companies to screen employees, they have been mandatory for Border Patrol for the last 10 years. Nearly 50% of recruits fail the polygraph or lie-detector component, the vice president of the National Border Patrol Council said.

Can you still be hired after failing polygraph? ›

Some private sector employers may require a polygraph test as part of their hiring process, particularly in industries such as finance or defense contracting. Failing the test could result in your disqualification from the hiring process, but it could also lead to your termination if you are already employed.

Can anxiety make you fail a polygraph? ›

Yes, mental illness can affect the results of a polygraph test. Certain mental illnesses, such as anxiety disorders, can cause physiological responses that may be interpreted as signs of deception. It is important to disclose any mental health conditions or medications to the examiner before the test.

Can you fail a polygraph and still get a clearance? ›

In other words, if you don't admit to anything problematic but the examiner thinks you're lying based on their “reading” of the polygraph results, you cannot be denied a security clearance on that basis. You can, however, be denied suitability for a position that requires successful completion of a polygraph.

What are disqualifiers for a polygraph? ›

Falsification or minimization in your requested information. Arrests for anything other than minor traffic violations. Commission of a crime which has not been detected. Concealment of anything in your background that would affect your chances for this position.

What disqualifies me from Border Patrol? ›

You may be disqualified if your background includes:

Use of illegal drugs and/or the sale distribution of illegal drugs. Convictions, including misdemeanor domestic violence charges.

What are the chances of passing a polygraph? ›

Hence, the probability that the polygraph would fail to detect deception in an individual after two independent tests is approximately 0.25%, indicating that, on average, approximately 99.75 percent of deceptive individuals would be identified as such by both examinations. This indicates a high degree of precision.

Why did I fail a polygraph when I told the truth? ›

The problem with polygraph tests

It's used to measure levels of fear and physical responses, not actual lies. These tests can fail because a person who is telling the truth could be anxious and a person who is lying might not be anxious at all. Dr.

How do you get successful on a polygraph test? ›

Answer every question

Respond to every question the examiner asks. Skipping questions can disqualify your polygraph results or make employers wonder why you didn't answer. Listen carefully to each question and take your time when responding to ensure you provide sufficient information during the test.

What does inconclusive polygraph mean? ›

An inconclusive polygraph test is a test result that falls in between the categories of “truthful” and “deceptive.” Essentially, it means that the test has not been able to determine with sufficient accuracy whether you are telling the truth or not.

What disqualifies you from border patrol agent? ›

You may be disqualified if your background includes:

Use of illegal drugs and/or the sale distribution of illegal drugs. Convictions, including misdemeanor domestic violence charges.

Are polygraph tests still used today? ›

The polygraph is used in criminal investigations, although it is generally not admissible as evidence in a trial. It is also used as a pre-employment and continuing employment screening tool for many federal employees who work in sensitive positions, such as CIA agents and FBI agents.

What states are polygraphs illegal? ›

In the states of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Delaware and Iowa it is illegal for any employer to order a polygraph either as conditions to gain employment, or if an employee has been suspected of wrongdoing.

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