Story highlights Trump has called for the hiring of an additional 5,000 Customs and Border Protection agents

CBP has struggled for years to hire enough agents for its mission

Washington (CNN) The Department of Homeland Security is exploring ways to make it easier to hire agents to help fulfill President Donald Trump's ambitious border security plans, the agency confirmed Monday.

The move comes after Trump has called for the hiring of an additional 5,000 Customs and Border Protection agents -- a tall task as the agency struggles to even fill its ranks at current levels due to stringent requirements and talent pool difficulties.

A Customs and Border Protection spokesman told CNN in a statement that while CBP would maintain "high standards" in recruiting personnel, it is looking for ways to beef up its staffing. The hiring process can take roughly 18 months.

"US Customs and Border Protection will maintain our current high standards of recruiting the best America has to offer," spokesman Michael Friel said. "To meet our critical hiring needs, we are exploring ways to recruit individuals that the federal government has already vetted to work in sensitive positions, such as military and federal law enforcement officers while also working to omit redundancies in the hiring process."

The statement follows reporting from Foreign Policy that an internal memo noted hiring changes would be needed to meet staffing goals.

Read More