Border Patrol Agent

Border Patrol Agent

Oscar

Charleston, SC

Male, 31

Spent a bit over four years (2006-2010) serving as a Border Patrol Agent in Tucson Sector, AZ: the busiest sector in the country. Worked numerous positions, and spent the last year and a half operating/instructing ground radar installations. Duties included: field patrols, transport, processing, control room duties, transportation check, checkpoint operations, static watch duties, etc.

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Last Answer on November 08, 2016

Best Rated

Is there high risk that border patrol had taken while on duty. I had seen on news papers that once they are hired, they quit the job. Is this true or many agents do like the job once they become border patrol agents.

Asked by Joe over 12 years ago

It's a complete mixed bag.  The job is a lot of hours, a lot of hard work, and can be very depressing when your own country doesn't really care.  Some guys love the job.  Other guys put up with it. I personally quit because I ended up hating the agency.  So, it depends on the person and what you consider important/valuable.

I asked you about the radar/camera equipment North of Las Cruces, N.M. These same kinds of equipment are also located at Las Cruces and El Paso, TEXAS, El Paso and Alamogordo, N.M. I assume these are also in use in all checkpoints. Does this help?

Asked by gpw7210@msn.com over 12 years ago

Again, I can't help you - but only because our checkpoints were all temporary.  We did not have any large scale traffic checkpoints (like in Las Cruces) in our area.  If they look like radar equipment they could be ground radar systems based around the checkpoints which scan for areas out to each side - detecting people or traffic which is trying to cut around the checkpoint.

Some checkpoints have tractor trailer scanning equipment, which essentially X-Rays the contents of large trailer boxes.  I'm not sure.  No real experience at a "proper" checkpoint.  Talk about a job I'd never want though...I'm really glad we only had a small temporary checkpoint, sometimes.

There are some guys who spend most of their career standing at a traffic checkpoint. Nooooo thanks.

You mentioned that BP agents have difficulty maintaining relationships. It seems it might be difficult if not impossible for BORTAC?

Asked by Girlfriend over 12 years ago

Well, the BORTAC guys work even more, and are subject to callouts, as they are essentially on-call.  Any relationship is doable, but a relationship which is weak to start out with, will not survive a LEO career of any sort.  Also, if your loved one is in that line of work you should choose your fights carefully.  Sometimes a LEO will encounter a bunch of serious messed up stuff (dead children, bodies, abuse, etc.) on duty and then come home only for his/her spouse to get angry over something stupid --- this will ignite a fight, etc.  So, yes it's pretty darn tough.  But, not impossible by any stretch of the imagination.

IF im applying into border patrol and live with my aunt and two cousins who do not have papers but are Already accepted to receive them, does it affect either one of us?

Asked by Tony over 12 years ago

I'm not entirely sure what you're referring to.  However, a person illegally in the U.S. will forfeit any legal application process, as they have violated the law.  You may not enter the U.S. legally until you have all papers (visa, permanent resident etc.) finalized.

This is the easiest way to completely ruin your chances of entering the country legally.  Likewise, this will possibly come up in your application process during the background investigation.

I can not give you a direct answer, but it doesn't sound like a good situation.

what happens if you help pay for someone to cross the border illegally

Asked by wondering over 12 years ago

You can be prosecuted for human smuggling...and thus potentially spend a long time in jail. 

Did the Arizona SB1070 law help you do your job better by empowering you with tools that helped intercept more illegals?

Asked by Darren almeida over 12 years ago

SB1070 passed shortly after I left the BP.  The USBP is 100% busy all of the time in Tucson Sector, so if anything it would have put more strain on us, due to a possible increase in local law enforcement apprehending illegals.  The actual passage did not affect the way we do business, as our authority is almost entirely immigration based.

I'd imagine there was a spike in OA (other agency) calls, and I'd like to hope that ICE in Phoenix got hammered by Sheriff Joe with more apprehensions.

I have a quick question, because I would love to become a Border Patrol Agent. If I were to have tattoos on my forearms. Or anywhere visible, but I passed everything else. Would they hire me?

Asked by Smiley over 12 years ago

We had a lot of guys with tattoos in the BP.  Not many guys with full sleeves though.  I suppose this wouldn't be a big deal unless the tattoos were of a graphic nature etc.  Even then you could theoretically wear the long sleeve duty uniform shirt.  I'm not sure, but I do not believe it is a huge deal.  It's nowhere near as strict as the military standards for tattoos etc.