Career and Education Resources

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. 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. So you can also check out for both the Border Patrol Agent Jobs and Border Patrol Jobs. We live in a dangerous time for the United States of America. Every day, hundreds, if not thousands, of people attempt to cross over our borders into our country illegally. Some of them are looking for work. Others are plotting to attack the very things that make our nation great. US Customs and Border Protection secure America’s borders from those that would do harm is CBP’s top priority. It deploys the government’s largest law enforcement work force to protect at and between ports of entry, supported by air and marine assets.

The Border Patrol utilizes a variety of equipment and methods, such as electronic sensors placed at strategic locations along the border, to detect people or vehicles entering the country illegally. Video monitors and night vision scopes are also used to detect illegal entries. Agents patrol the border in vehicles, boats, aircraft, and afoot. In some areas, the Border Patrol employs horses, all-terrain motorcycles, bicycles, and snowmobiles.
When applying for a Border Patrol job, a candidate must pass a drug screening, medical exam, background check, and physical fitness tests. Upon being hired, physical training continues for approximately two months. According to statistics only 30% of applicants ever pass the initial exam and move on to the hiring process. The initial exam is when the agency weeds out the applicants that are not suited for the job. The proctors of the exam even look at the way you fill up your application form and asses your abilities.

Some of the situations that may disqualify a candidate for a Border Patrol career include: prior arrests and convictions, drug or alcohol issues, problems with finances, and previous dismissals from other jobs. All candidates must be US citizens and possess a valid state-issued driver’s license. Candidates must be under the age of forty. Current or past members of any branch of the armed forces or the National Guard are encouraged to apply.

So it is crucial that you come to the examination day prepared and knowing what type of questions and characteristics the recruiting officer is looking for. If you do not come prepared you will most definitely fail the exam. If you are really serious about US Border Patrol Jobs and US customs jobs then it is suggested to go and check out Border Patrol Exams.