The Department of Homeland Security is Hiring Border Patrol Agents

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If you're interested, the department is currently looking for candidates interested in preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States; detecting and preventing the smuggling and unlawful entry of undocumented aliens into the United States; and apprehending those people found to be in violation of the immigration laws.

The Border Patrol and Its Mission
The United States Border Patrol is the mobile, uniformed law enforcement arm of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It was officially established on May 28, 1924 by an act of Congress passed in response to increasing illegal immigration. As mandated by this Act, the small border guard in what was then the Bureau of Immigration was reorganized into the Border Patrol. The initial force of 450 officers was given the responsibility of combating illegal entries and the growing business of alien smuggling.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the focus of the Border Patrol has changed to detection, apprehension and/or deterrence of terrorists and terrorist weapons. Although the Border Patrol has changed dramatically since its inception over 75 years ago, its overall mission remains unchanged: to detect and prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States. Together with other law enforcement officers, the Border Patrol helps maintain borders that work - facilitating the flow of legal immigration and goods while preventing the illegal trafficking of people and contraband.

The Border Patrol is specifically responsible for patrolling the 6,000 miles of Mexican and Canadian international land borders and 2,000 miles of coastal waters surrounding the Florida Peninsula and the island of Puerto Rico. Agents work around the clock on assignments, in all types of terrain and weather conditions. Agents also work in many isolated communities throughout the United States.

Duties of a Border Patrol Agent
One of the most important activities of a Border Patrol Agent is line watch. This involves the detection, prevention and apprehension of terrorists, undocumented aliens and smugglers of aliens at or near the land border by maintaining surveillance from a covert position, following up leads, responding to electronic sensor television systems, aircraft sightings, and interpreting and following tracks, marks and other physical evidence. Some of the major activities are farm and ranch check, traffic check, traffic observation, city patrol, transportation check, administrative, intelligence, and anti-smuggling activities.

Applying to be a Border Patrol Agent it’s very easy. When the CBP Border Patrol is actively recruiting for agents, information will be posted on the CBP.gov website or on the USAJobs website. ( USAJobs ) ) If you are ready to complete the Online Registration please fill out the Border Patrol Agent Online Application to apply for a position as a Border Patrol Agent. ( Border Patrol Agent Online Application )  You must learn Spanish while at the Border Patrol Academy and you must pass a series of Spanish tests after entering on duty in order to continue in the Border Patrol.

There is also an entrance exam.  The U.S. Border Patrol entrance examination is a three part test which covers logical reasoning, Spanish language (or, if you don’t speak Spanish, an Artificial Language that predicts your ability to learn Spanish), and an assessment of your past experience. If you are fluent in  Spanish, you may wish to take the Spanish Test. If you speak “Spanglish” or “Tex-Mex” you should be aware that standard grammar and vocabulary are emphasized. You also have the option to take the Artificial Language Test (ALT). The ALT is a test that helps us predict your ability to learn Spanish. The test may, at first glance, seem intimidating. It is, in fact, based on the grammar and syntax of neo-Latin languages such as Spanish and French. A good grasp of common structures (how the various parts of speech fit together) combined with a thorough reading of the ALT study guide that you receive when you apply will prepare you for this test.

Statistically speaking, it takes an average of six to nine months to get through the  application/hiring process. Some of the things that can increase the amount of time it takes are: health issues, complications in your background investigation, or a lack of sufficient or requested information. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends that you fill out all materials completely and return them to them promptly, read the application carefully and comply with all the requests of the CBP Minneapolis Hiring Center as quickly as possible to make your application and eventual hiring quick and efficient.


If you are selected, you will go before and Oral Board, which is nothing more than a job interview. Don't get scared!!  The Oral Board is a structured interview given by three Border Patrol Agents. The interview consists of situational questions that do not require technical knowledge. The structured interview assesses a candidate’s judgment/decision making, emotional maturity, interpersonal skills, and cooperativeness and sensitivity to the needs of others. These qualities are the key to successful performance as a Border Patrol Agent. The oral board is a pass/fail interview. Candidates must receive a "pass" in all areas in order to continue in the hiring process. The Oral Board Interview usually takes place within six weeks after you receive a tentative selection letter.

Just like with any other government job, you will also be required to pass a urinalysis drug test in order to be hired. This is a drug test designated position and incumbents are subject to random testing.

If You're Not in Shape... Get in Shape!
All candidates must be physically able to perform all of the strenuous duties required of a Border Patrol Agent. The duties of this position involve physical exertion under rigorous environmental conditions; irregular hours of work; patrol duties on foot, motor vehicle and aircraft; and participation in physical training.

Physical training includes firearms training; employing arrest techniques, defensive tactics and weapons techniques; physical conditioning (for example, running, weight training, swimming, sprinting, etc.); completion of a confidence course including practice sessions and a final timed proficiency course (for example, wall climbing, rope and ladder climbing, crawling through a simulated culvert, ditch jumping); and operating a motor vehicle including simulating emergency responses. All candidates are required to complete a comprehensive pre-employment medical examination to determine your physical ability to effectively perform the strenuous duties of this position without being a hazard to yourself or others.

Just like in the NFL when player have to pass a physical before they can practice with the team, trainees are required to pass a pre-employment fitness test. The Administration of the test ensures that all new Border Patrol Agents are able to meet the physical demands of both training and day to day operations. You will be doing push-ups, sit-ups, and an endurance step tests.
For additional information see: http://www.dreamfedjob.com/careers/1896_Border_Patrol_Enforcement.html

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