Border agents recruited for Iraq duty
A military contractor is recruiting current and former agents with the U.S. Border Patrol to teach Iraqis how to secure their national borders.
The U.S. State Department has asked Virginia-based DynCorp International to find 120 people with Customs and Border Enforcement experience to go to Iraq for the training.
The company already has 700 police trainers in Iraq. The department made the request for border security trainers in late March.
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano said she was worried that DynCorp's effort is distracting from security along the U.S.-Mexico border. She and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson wrote President Bush this week to say the deal "makes no sense."
"We should be focused on supporting our nation's security efforts along the Mexican and Canadian border instead of hampering (the Customs and Border Patrol) by sending our best agents to a war zone in Iraq," the governors wrote.
Agent Shannon Stevens, a Border Patrol spokeswoman, said the number of personnel DynCorp is looking for is "a very small number compared to the agents we have."
DynCorp is offering recruits $134,100 for a one-year stay, plus a $25,000 signing bonus. The first $90,000 in income is tax free, and housing and food are free, company spokesman Gregory Lagana said.
Border Patrol agents with at least two years' experience make roughly $55,000.
Arizona's Tucson sector employs 2,600 agents, and there are more than 13,350 nationwide
2007-05-22 13:54:33 · 10 answers · asked by *** The Earth has Hadenough*** 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It seems contradictory. OK there but not here.
And yes I want the war over.
2007-05-22 14:20:24 · update #1
Some great answers
2007-05-22 14:41:39 · update #2
That is funny, on the surface.
In reality though, our border agents aren't incompetent, just overwhelmed.
2007-05-22 13:58:24 · answer #1 · answered by B.Kevorkian 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I have to admit, this is a tough situation. To answer the question, yes and no.
If *I* were a border agent, I might take the job for a year... to better my family situation. I don't blame the guys that are looking into the recruitment.
From a border security standpoint, *we* need those guys here. Our borders are massive, and we need every good man we can get.
At the same time, from a business point of view: recruit the best. It's the American way. If you are going to get big bucks from the Iraq reconstruction fund, then you better be provided the best training possible.
2007-05-22 21:08:12 · answer #2 · answered by DD 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
to be honest you hit a nerve for me...we have so many illegals in Illinois it is obvious they aren't doing the job they are hired for so i don't really care if they are leaving for the money...they are getting paid under the table to let people in this country the way it is so good riddance and good luck with the new "opportunity", if they are so stupid to think that is what it is...it is quite amusing how it is just now a problem for Napolitano when it isn't a problem how many illegals get through each and every year...just how many agents are leaving...perhaps if they gave them a bonus on how many illegals they actually stopped from coming in this country it would work better for all...but that would actually take some thought from a government official and i would not want to put THAT stress on them...sorry i am bitter on this point..
2007-05-23 06:04:31 · answer #3 · answered by Daisy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a loaded question. Many of our border patrol are Mexican Americans. I don't know if you know any personally, but would you wish them on another country? Some are legal, although I think many whom aren't stationed at the major crossings aren't too patriotic to America, and are easily swayed. They then excuse their actions by claiming their lives were threatened, and they cooperated to get away alive. They then retire very wealthy in Arizona, as legal Americans, although they are of Mexican descent.
This is my personal knowledge of border patrol, and I was happy to see private citizens get involved in recent months, with the fences. They also know, and don't have time or care to discuss their border patrol ethics. It doesn't make for good neighbors, and they are on our side of the fence. Not many border patrol people whom are Mexican American help with the fence, and I wouldn't show them the blueprints.
2007-05-22 21:03:50 · answer #4 · answered by Marissa Di 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, I don't see a problem with it. The current border problems are not the fault of the border agents, but of their superiors and legislators in Washington.
2007-05-22 20:59:05 · answer #5 · answered by Aegis of Freedom 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it was a wise idea. It's great if Iraq can secure their borders.
Hope they hire the best guys.
2007-05-22 20:59:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Its not just for current agents, they'll contract the retirees also. The job (ICE) is pretty crappy and some guys hate it. The contract offer is a nice out for those guys.
2007-05-22 21:33:39 · answer #7 · answered by California Street Cop 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You want the war over don't you? Well it would sound to me like they are taking steps to do just that. If these guys/gals don't want to go they don't have to. Whats the problem?
2007-05-22 20:59:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
its just you.
2007-05-22 20:59:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No it is just you!!!!!
2007-05-22 20:58:38 · answer #10 · answered by Steven C 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋