EXCLUSIVE: Despite southern border crisis, CBP agents asked to deploy to Europe for Ukraine conflict

For the second time in a year, the Biden administration is seeking to divert Customs and Border Protection officers from the southern border crisis to an overseas conflict, this time to help process people fleeing the Russian assault on Ukraine.

In a memo sent Thursday morning and obtained by Just the News, CBP's office of field operations sought volunteers willing to deploy immediately to Poland for "Operation Ukraine Support."

The request comes six months after a similar effort to process Afghan refugees after the bungled U.S. exit from that country. That operation was sharply criticized Friday by the Pentagon inspector general for poor Defense Department vetting that allowed 50 Afghans posing serious security risks to enter the United States.

"The Office of Field Operations is seeking volunteers to assist with the possible evacuation of U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and their immediate family members from Ukraine," the memo sent to field operations executives said.

"Eligible employees who volunteer for this situation may be selected to serve a temporary duty assignment in Poland to facilitate travelers for entry into the U.S., to include providing guidance and problems resolution to other government agencies."

The memo said volunteers need to be ready to deploy "within 2-3 days" of selection and should plan for about a month's work overseas. It also offered a plan for COVID-19 mitigation that said workers need to either have the vaccine or natural immunity from a recent infection.

"As a mission necessity and to avoid post-arrival quarantine, volunteers must be able to provide a negative PCR test taken within 24 hours of arrival and meet one of the following conditions: fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccination" or "recovered from COVID-19 within six months prior to arrival."

"Once deployed employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and may be required to work irregular shifts and schedules, up to seven days per week including holidays and weekends," the memo cautioned, offering volunteers overtime pay.