Fronteras

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency said Monday that raises given to 12 of its patrol agents in charge were not associated with the government sequester that will force agents to take 14 unpaid days off a year.

Officials asked not to be named but emailed a statement in response to questions asked last Friday. According to the statement:

"The pay increases for certain positions referred to on the union website are actually part of a long-term initiative, begun by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in 2008, to ensure that job responsibilities and pay are appropriately aligned."

The statement also said the raises and promotions were planned in 2008.