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

can a person that was caught crossing the border illegaly pay a fine and get released to a family member living in the United States

Asked by erika over 11 years ago

No.

how long will a person be detained if he is caught trying to cross the border with a fake or ''borrowed'' passport and green card??

Asked by AZ over 11 years ago

Depends on the criminal history.  If prosecuted, as long as needed.  If not prosecuted, only 24 hours in the U.S.

Im told not to get housing until after graduation. Im also told we get about a week after graduation to move. How does one find housing and move their family from Michigan to Arizona all in a week? Doesn't seem reasonable.

Asked by DL79 over 12 years ago

The last couple of weeks before you graduate start looking...that's the beauty of the internet.  Start researching and contact apartment complexes near your station etc.  Heck you could even check into one of those hotels that lets you pay by the week for the first couple of weeks.  Me and my classmates found a house to rent via Craigslist.  We stayed there for 6 months then all moved to our own apartments/houses.

It's up to you to arrange the move of your family.  It's not easy, but you'll figure it out.  Just don't sign any papers or leases until you graduate.  You should be able to tell the home owner or apartment complex your situation. 

I am in the application process for USBP, but ultimate career goal is to join a US Marshal Regional Fugitive Task Force, as I know the southwest pacific one is in LA. How easy would it be to transition over? Do you guys ever work with the Marshals?

Asked by futureLEO about 12 years ago

Never worked with the US Marshals.  You could apply direct to the Marshals though, unless you don't believe you have the resume to do so.

I guess I'm not really clear on this but do agents routinely patrol their sectors looking for illegals (like cops on a beat) or are they directed to areas when motion sensors are tripped or suspects are reported, etc.

Asked by C L Smith over 12 years ago

All of the above.  While it depends a lot on terrain and your local conditions, you have a large array of operations.

In our area we had a few "X"s...these are static locations watching a particular point of interest.  You then had patroling units, which would actively be cutting for sign (footprints, debris, trash, spoor) which would indicate a recent group or vehicles.  You also had static ground-sweeping radar.  You had bike units which would operate further in from the border.  You also had occasional aviation units when we could spare them.

In addition to this you have a large number of magnetic and seismic sensors which would register back at the station.  During the day, we also had a Horse Patrol unit which specialized in rougher terrain (they were quite good up in the more mountainous regions).

Now, in some places like Nogales (nicknamed "Nogadishu" for the level of violence about a decade ago) it's an entirely different situation, as the USBP there is operating inside a city etc.  Likewise, some stations operate solely in the mountains and operate heavily by airlifting agents around in helicopters etc.

It varies immensely by station.

does being a border patrol affect spending time with your family?

Asked by lynn over 12 years ago

Short answer: yes.  Law enforcement work of any type has statistically been very hard on families and relationships.  Unfortunately law enforcement officers have a much higher rate of substance abuse, suicide, etc.  It's a high stress line of work, working long hours, and dealing with the bottom of society.  A lot of people live fine, normal lives - but the numbers are pretty bad.  High rate of divorce is common.  I do think the BP might be better than some local LEO work.  I was away for an average of 11 hours a day, so if you have loved ones or family, it can be very taxing.

I have been in the border patrol Explorer program for two years and was given explorer of the year my first year. will this increase the speed of the application process.

Asked by Mr.305 over 12 years ago

I don't believe so.  The application process has no real steps you can skip or speed up.  However, if you contact the agents you work with they would possibly be able to put you in touch with the Sector's recruitment agents who might be able to tell you more.