U.S. Customs and Border Protection reviews

Leadership lacked cultural competence and failed to foster an equitable environment for Black women. Experiences of bias were dismissed or minimized, and there was a clear lack of accountability around diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. The workplace culture tolerated microaggressions and did not support authentic advancement opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Top-heavy organization plagued by nepotism and favoritism, with advancement requiring either exceptional patience or political maneuvering. Despite 15 years of service, I witnessed no organizational maturation since DHS formation. The leadership structure is bloated with excessive Branch Chiefs and GS-14/15 executives who are frequently absent, yet demand constant appeasement from staff. Work-life balance exists solely due to union intervention, not organizational values—a situation that has deteriorated since Secretary Mayorkas's departure. Federal employees maintain a generally negative attitude toward contractors, though contractors typically receive better compensation for enduring this challenging environment.