'We can, should, and will polygraph personnel,' says DHS: report
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reportedly addressing leaks of immigration enforcement plans by using polygraph tests on its employees.
NBC News, citing four sources, reported this week that the tests have already begun.
"The Department of Homeland Security is a national security agency. We can, should, and will polygraph personnel," the DHS told the news outlet in a statement.
According to the report, employees who are asked to take the polygraph tests come from different agencies across the DHS. They are being asked specific questions about leaking classified documents or sensitive law enforcement operations.
The total number of employees who have taken the polygraph test, as well as the overall staff who will be asked to undergo them, have yet to be revealed.
Reason for polygraph tests
Reports of the polygraph tests being used on staff were first reported by Bloomberg in February, where Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned that they will use them to crack down on internal leaks.
Noem, in an internal directive reported by Bloomberg, told employees that all polygraphs administered by the DHS must include a question about unauthorised communications with media and nonprofit organisations.
The polygraph tests come as White House border czar Tom Homan blamed the Immigration and Customs Enforcement staff for leaking internal memos on ICE raids.
Noem said on Friday that they have already identified two employees who had been leaking information at the DHS. It remains unknown, however, whether these employees were identified through polygraph tests.
"We plan to prosecute these two individuals and hold them accountable for what they've done," she said on X.
