Illegal immigration has been a crucial security issue for the US since decades. To overcome its dangerous consequences and to ensure that the peace of the country is intact, patrolling agencies play a vital role.
Constituted on May 28, 1924, by a Congress Act to combat illegal immigration, the United States Border Patrol agency employs nearly 55,000 professionals, and presents bright career opportunities for aspirants seeking a job in border patrolling. It was formed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Department of Homeland Security, and prides to be the largest law enforcement agency under Department of Homeland Security in the US.
Job Description
With illegal immigration a threat to national peace and security, border patrolling jobs have assumed great significance. Border patrol agencies look out for candidates who’ve courage and willingness to combat the entry of terrorists and weapons in the US through illegal immigration. Agents are also responsible for preventing and detecting any illegal smuggling occurring across the US border. Further, these jobs give agents the power to apprehend people who’re found guilty of violating US immigration laws. For various US patrol jobs, a candidate must satisfy certain criteria.
- The candidate must be under 40 years of age. Exceptions to this case are if you’re a veteran’s preference candidate, or if you have federal law enforcement work experience.
- Must be a resident as well as a citizen of the US.
- Must be fluent in Spanish or at least must have the ability to learn, comprehend, and speak Spanish after being trained in patrol academy.
- Must be in possession of authorized state driver’s license.
- Must pass several tests and examinations, like criminal background checks, medical tests, drug tests, and physical fitness tests.
- After a written exam and physical and medical tests, the candidate has to go through an interview with experienced agents.
Entrance Exam Structure
The US patrol job tests a candidate’s competence in three areas:
- Logical Reasoning
- Spanish Language (If you’re unaware of Spanish language, a specially designed test called ALT, Artificial Language Test in conducted to test your ability to learn Spanish during training period).
- A detailed assessment of your previous work.
How to Apply
Applying for border patrolling jobs is quite easy. When there is a recruitment drive, information is uploaded on the CBP website. All you have to do is to fill the form as per the instructions given and wait for the exam date. You have to ensure that you satisfy all eligibility criteria.
Who Are Not Hired?
If you have some cases pending against you, or you are involved in drug-related cases, the road ahead is tough, as CBP doesn’t recruit candidates with the following issues:
- Past/present arrests cases.
- Any type of conviction cases.
- Excessive usage of alcohol cases.
- Use of illegal drugs or sale/purchase/distribution of unlawful drugs.
What’s More?
It is not that only border patrol agents are hired by CBP. There are lots of other careers and job openings too.
- Border Patrol Agents: 1,900 miles of border with Mexico and 5,000 miles of border with Canada are safeguarded by nearly 20,000 border patrol agents and this makes it a most sought after position.
- CBP officers: With a strength of 20,000 CBP officers, stretched over 300 ports in US, safety of cargo and passengers remains unchallenged.
- CBP Agriculture Specialist: So you thought how agriculture can be threatened by terrorism? Haven’t heard of bio-terrorism and agro-terrorism? Nearly 2,200 CBP agriculture specialists work tirelessly to avert such dangerous threats, and besides that, they prevent the outbreak of animal and plant diseases.
- Air/Marine Agents: Called interdiction agents, nearly 1,000 air and marine agents work to ensure that illegal occurrences through air and water entry sources are averted.
- Import Specialists: Amassing a wealth of nearly US$30 billion, 2,500 employees spread across the US at several entry sources, collect revenue through entry duty taxes that have been established by trade and tariff rules. For the US government, this is the 2nd largest source of revenue collection. Checking imported items and merchandise also forms a part of their work. You can work as an import specialist, auditor, international trade specialist, and textile analyst.
There are numerous operational and support designations in almost every stream of this job. Paralegals, budget analysts, management analysts, human resource specialists, and so on. All you’ve got to do is to go to the CBP website and keep yourself updated about the latest recruitment for different state borders. Besides respect, repute and pride of working for your nation, the salary (average US$55,000 annually) is decent, with several perks and retirement packages after 18 years of work. So, depending on your interest, you can join this important law enforcement agency.