Border Patrol boost raises concerns

Source: Associated Press

Border Patrol boost raises concerns

By JACQUES BILLEAUD, Associated Press Writer
Sat Apr 21, 9:57 PM ET

ARTESIA, N.M. - The U.S. Border Patrol's push to expand the
number of agents on the lookout for illegal crossings has some
current and former agents worried that the pressure will lead
to corner cutting and will jeopardize public safety.

Raising the Border Patrol's numbers from about 12,000 to 18,000
by the end of 2008 is a key element of President Bush's plan to
improve security along the border, crossed by tens of thousands
of illegal immigrants each year.

The sprawling Border Patrol Academy here in southeastern New
Mexico recently started launching two 50-student classes each
week, compared to one class every two or three weeks before
the expansion plan was announced nearly a year ago.

Some critics worry that pressure to meet the hiring goal will
lead the agency to admit recruits with integrity problems.

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Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070422/ap_on_re_us/border_patrol_hiring