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Fact check: What is the pass rate for ICE polygraph tests?
1. Summary of the results
Based on the analyses provided, no sources contain specific information about ICE polygraph test pass rates. However, the sources do provide some relevant context about polygraph testing within the Department of Homeland Security ecosystem:
- Border Patrol polygraph failure rates are documented: One source indicates that two-thirds of applicants to the Border Patrol fail the polygraph exam [1], though this is specifically for Border Patrol, not ICE
- Recent DHS polygraph testing for leak investigations: Multiple sources confirm that DHS has been administering polygraph tests to employees, including about 50 DHS staffers and top FEMA officials, to identify potential leakers [2]
- Some officials have failed recent tests: One source mentions that some FEMA officials 'failed' the polygraph tests during leak investigations, though specific numbers are not provided [2]
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original question seeks specific statistical data that appears to be either unavailable in public sources or not routinely disclosed by ICE. Several important contextual elements are missing:
- Distinction between different types of polygraph tests: The sources reveal that polygraph tests are used for multiple purposes - employment screening [1] versus leak investigations [3] [2] [4] - which would likely have different pass rates
- ICE versus other DHS agencies: While Border Patrol data shows a 67% failure rate [1], ICE may have different standards, procedures, or pass rates that are not publicly available
- Historical context of polygraph reliability: The Trump administration previously sought to drop lie detector tests for border agents due to hiring challenges [1], suggesting these tests may be seen as barriers to recruitment
- Transparency concerns: The lack of available data on ICE polygraph pass rates may reflect broader issues with government transparency regarding immigration enforcement metrics
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question itself does not contain misinformation, as it is simply seeking factual information. However, there are potential issues with data availability and transparency:
- Assumption of public availability: The question assumes that ICE polygraph pass rates are publicly available information, when the evidence suggests this data may be classified or not routinely disclosed
- Conflation of agencies: Without clear data, there's a risk of incorrectly applying Border Patrol statistics (67% failure rate from p1_s2) to ICE operations, which may operate under different protocols
- Context of recent investigations: The current focus on DHS polygraph testing appears to be primarily related to leak investigations rather than routine employment screening [3] [2] [4], which could create confusion about the purpose and scope of these tests