U.S. Customs Freezes Hiring
- Share via
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Customs Service said today it is instituting a hiring freeze for 3,000 positions involving narcotics interdiction because a federal judge overturned the agency’s employee drug-testing program.
Customs Commissioner William von Raab said in a statement filed in U.S. District Court in New Orleans that the hiring, part of the Reagan Administration’s and Congress’ stepped-up war on drugs, “cannot go forward at this time without drug screening.” Von Raab’s decision came as the Justice Department announced it was appealing a Nov. 12 decision by U.S. District Judge Robert Collins declaring the agency’s drug testing program unconstitutional.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
