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

On August 9 I got cut crossing the border illegally into the us, that is the first time I get cut, do you think I still have a chance to obtain a work visa so i can get into the us legally?

Asked by anrobledo08@gmail.com about 12 years ago

If they discover you have been apprehended crossing the border illegally it will negatively impact your VISA application, particularly if you were deported (in which case you are unable to apply for 5 years, then 10 years, and then ever). 

What percentage of illegals attempting to cross the border would you estimate are successfully intercepted by Border Patrol? Is that figure improving or worsening compared to past years?

Asked by Quezon over 12 years ago

I'd say that of the groups that we detected or spotted we apprehended around 30-35%.  That figure improved quite a bit following 9/11, as DHS/CBP had a large hiring push and went from around 8,000 agents to around 16,000.

Since then it seems to have been pretty steady.  As apprehensions increase the Mexicans and cartel guys become a bit more creative.  It's a constant back and forth.  There is no genuine progress being made toward "shutting down the border" or "stopping illegal immigration" etc.  Unfortunately that is not a political goal of either party.

Also seen on TV--it was shown that BP has a site where it takes all the seized marijuana to be burned at various times of the years. Is this something that's contracted out or does BP take care of it 100%? How are other seized drugs disposed of?

Asked by CL Smith over 12 years ago

Our dope (marijuana and otherwise) was picked up and disposed of by the DEA.

Does it disqualify you from the Border Patrol if you have a tattoo?
Also, did it used to?

Asked by Russ over 11 years ago

It does not currently, and I doubt it did previously.  If it's an offensive tattoo in an obvious location - possibly.  No face tattoos or stupid nonsense on your knuckles/neck/etc.

there was this girl form Honduras that crossed the border and border patrol caught but her family haven't heard from her since June what can they do?

Asked by MLG almost 12 years ago

Contact their consulate to directly contact the US and look into her status.  If it was June, she's either in jail, or has already been flown back to Honduras.  It is also likely she lied and said she was a Mexican in order to avoid being flown back.

Who represents illegal immigrants in court when they are caught?

Asked by Gerardo almost 12 years ago

Illegal immigrants seldom end up in court.  If they do, it is by their choice, selecting a "notice to appear" action where they will go and plead their case with an immigration judge.  This seldom results in a different result.  If a person has the means they may attempt to hire an immigration lawyer to aid them in their plea.  This is not like normal criminal court, as the simple physical presence of a person in the US illegally is obvious proof of guilt.  If an illegal immigrant goes to court for criminal charges they will get a normal defense lawyer as any other criminal.

I'm a writer. A character's brother is a Boarder Patrol Agent in AZ-Lives in Tubac and works in Nogales U.S. Does this seem feasible? Lives/works can change.
Do u go 2 other cities 4 meetings, etc, & would you wear your uniform out 2 eat after mtg?

Asked by MJ almost 12 years ago

MJ,

Not sure where Tubac is.  Nogales is of course reasonable, and very busy.  It would be "Border Patrol" though, as we're not pirates!  And yes, you would visit other stations or sector headquarters to attend training or special classes.  During days in which you are on the schedule for training you would be fine wearing your uniform out to lunch/dinner in the process.  You're still on duty and should something silly happen you would respond and work as normal.