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Black Outreach at the Border Patrol
 By Tom Shoop | Tuesday, June 24, 2008  |  07:54 AM

The Border Patrol has more than 16,000 agents, and is in a frenzied rush to get to 18,000 by the end of the year. But its ranks include only 158 African Americans -- and only eight of them are black women.

It's not surprising, then, that the New York Times reports that the agency has launched an effort to reach out to blacks, especially in the South. A recruiting team has signed up more than 400 applicants since January, but since the application process is fairly involved, it's hard to tell how many of them actually will end up joining the ranks -- which is a depressing thought, because even if all of them did, the agency's numbers still would be abysmal.

(Hat tip: Matthew Yglesias)



Comments


The article and commenters are looking at this from the wrong perspective. A few years ago there was a study that showed how different ethnic groups gravitated toward different occupations. The problem here is not ability or recruiting. Historically, blacks have knocked down doors to get the jobs they wanted. Border Patrol work simply does not hold an attraction for everyone. The number of blacks in the military and other law enforcement jobs demonstrates that those who want work in that field know where to find it. Has anyone asked if Hispanics are over-represented in Border Patrol?

Ted Bean  | Thursday, June 26, 2008 |  09:36 AM


Realist, applicants is the key word, not agents. Yep.

Anonermous  | Thursday, June 26, 2008 |  08:20 AM


Why do whites always think blacks are less qualified? When whites will state they will hire a white ex-con over a black man with no criminal record and a degree, is that white man more qualified.
You just proved the necessity for increased recruitment in this area. But CBP is a cess pool, you can have it!

Why  | Wednesday, June 25, 2008 |  08:25 AM


How are Welsh-Americans represented? Hire best qualified candidates ONLY! Pushing unqualified workers through the system due to etnicity agendas is a recipe for disaster and an insult to the agents that were hired under condition of best qualified.

FedUp  | Wednesday, June 25, 2008 |  08:04 AM


Dear "Anonermous":

So...you're saying that it is probably valid that out of 16000 agents only 158 African Americans were found to have the necessary "talent" and "ability" that you speak of--is that correct? Assuming that you are a proponent of allowing everyone who desires it (and is qualified) EQUAL access to the Border Patrol profession no matter the race or ethnicity, do you also presume that all minority applicants MUST have received a fair look, but only 158 can pass muster ?

The Realist  | Wednesday, June 25, 2008 |  02:17 AM


I concurre,skills and experience,and gotta need to speak spanish,that alone will get you in bad trouble my friends.

vick  | Wednesday, June 25, 2008 |  01:30 AM


Let's focus on talent and ability, please. Over-emphasizing other factors simply create trouble.

Anonermous  | Tuesday, June 24, 2008 |  08:54 AM



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Government Executive Editor Tom Shoop takes a look at news and events affecting the federal bureaucracy, from the perspective of a longtime observer of government.

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