CBP Officer

CBP Officer

CBPGuy

7 Years Experience

SouthWest, US

Male, 25

I am a U. S. Customs and Border Protection Officer on the southwest border between Mexico and the United States. I know the ins and outs of the job as seen on TV/News and things intentionally hidden from the media! There's more to this job than "Anything to declare?" I dont know all but I'll do my best to answer any questions you have! All answers are my opinion, and my opinion only!

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Last Answer on April 22, 2019

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Hey CBP guy, first i'd like to thank you for you service. I am currently going through the application process and was wondering what your typical day looks like? Thanks

Asked by Cjb about 8 years ago

Every port has different duties. Our primary assignments are at the Ports of Entry conducting primary and secondary processing. However, there are many details that are outside of that. Traffic stops, drug/money runs, prisoner transport etc.The airport can get fairly boring. For the first several years of your career, you will be posted at "Primary" where you either grant admission to alien's (Entry for US Citizens) or refer suspect individuals for further scrutiny. 

Once you have a few years on your belt, you can bid for a secondary position. This is where you will be determining with you will allow someone to enter the United States or return them back to their home country. 

There are also other specialty teams where you patrol the airport in vehicles, perform hot stops, interview subjects etc. Those positions, however, are few far and between at airports.

Hi my request to convert my L1B Visa to L1A visa was denied just 10 days before my I94 Expiry, it took me 11 days to finish and wrap up things. I moved out of US on 12th day, means 2nd day of I94 Expiry. I got new L1 A visa,Any challenges I may face?

Asked by Abhishek almost 9 years ago

Yes, that will be a big challenge for you. On your L1 visa, does it mention anything about a waiver? Overstaying your admission to the United States will almost guarantee at least a Withdrawal if not an Expedited Removal. When it comes to an overstay, even just a day, our hands are tied as a CBP officer. If you overstay once, you are automatically presumed to be an Intended Immigrant, and it is very difficult to overcome that presumption.

The best thing you can do is obtain a waiver from the State Department. If thats not possible, bring as many documents as you can to prove what you do and to prove that you will return home.

Again, this will be extremely difficult for you. It is very likely that you will be removed or asked to leave the United States. I know it sounds bad. However, after you are removed from the US, you can go to the State Department and explain your situation. In my experience, from what you described, you will most likely receive a waiver. Once you receive a waiver, the overstay will no longer be an issue for you.

How much do you earn as a CBp

Asked by tom over 8 years ago

As a GS-12 (pay scale), I earn about $110,000 a year with overtime. The pay scale goes like this:

GS-5 (first year) = $35,000GS-7 (second year) = $43,000GS-9 (Third Year) = $52,000GS-11 (Fourth Year) = $62,000GS-12 (Fifth Year) = $76,000

After you hit GS 12, every year or so you get a raise of about $2,000 to $3,000. All the numbers mentioned above are approximate and include my additional locality pay.

Can you go into more detail about the hiring process? For example, do you get paid while at the academy? Is housing paid for or is it an out-of-pocket expense? What are some advantages provided to veterans?

Asked by Mando about 8 years ago

You are paid every day that you are at the job. When you are hired, you go to your assigned port for "Pre-Academy". During this Pre-Academy time your doing mostly clerical work. You are filling out paperwork for your health benefits, TSP (401k), etc. You are also doing online training courses that help you prepare for the job. You are also doing tours of the port and watching officers work. Every port has their Pre-Academy set up differently. Housing is not paid for while your at the port for Pre Academy.

At the academy, you work Monday through Friday with varying start times, but all are only 8 hours a day. You are paid during all the training hours. You sleep in a dorm which is provided by the agency and you eat the meals at the cafeteria, which is also paid for by the agency. All books, supplies, and uniforms are provided by the agency. You really only need to bring a pair of running shoes, boots, shoe polish, toiletries, and off training clothes. You are only allowed to wear the academy's uniform in the gym (on or off training hours).

For Veterans, your given Veterans preference points up to 5 points, i believe, for the initial written test.

Thanks for being here, CBP Guy. I was wondering if you are able to date dreamers or foriegners in the US. Also i live in a sanctuary city is it against the rules for you to eat at establishments that may not follow immigration laws? Thanks

Asked by Hawaiian 123 about 8 years ago

There is nothing against policy regarding dating a foreign national. There is, however, a policy that forbids you to associate with illegal aliens. A DREAMer is considered an illegal alien, by law.

There is also nothing against policy regarding "Sanctuary Cities", so I can confidently say that there are no issues with you living there. As long as you are honestly unaware of the immigration status of the people you deal with outside of work, nothing "bad" would happen to you. So, if you unknowingly go to a restaurant with illegal waiters and there happens to be a raid, theoretically, you should be in the clear because you did not know. However, if you were to hire illegal aliens to perform work for you at your home, then that would be a different story.

What's up with the recent news stories about CBP officers asking Muslims about their religion and their thoughts about Donald Trump? Would this be considered religious profiling? Is this allowed, and if so, what is the purpose of these questions?

Asked by sstevens about 8 years ago

One thing I will say from personal experience, I had to hold someone for about 45 minutes before I was able to clear him in our system. His name was similar to a convicted felon wanted for child endangerment. My job was to determine if this person in front of me was the same person who was wanted. I cordially explained to him why he was back there and what I was trying to accomplish. He was very friendly and thanked me for doing what I was doing. About 4 days later, I read a news article that and this person was on it. He told the news outlet that he was locked in a room for 2 hours, denied food and water, and was treated like a criminal. I couldn't believe it! I treat everyone with professionally and with respect, this person even acknowledged it, and yet here he is in the paper saying all of this.

Needless to say, the news, or the person being interviewed, may not always portray the accurate truth.

To answer your question as best I can, we are not legally allowed to make a determination based on religion. It is against the law for anyone (CBP, local police, even an employer) to make a decision based on religion.

How is FLETC CBP Officer basic training structured on the calendar? Do they graduate three classes a year (seasonal). Is it just a May to July thing? Do all Field Ops personnel go to Glynco? Thanks for the help.

Asked by REYWAS almost 8 years ago

When I went through FLETC, we had 1 to 2 classes graduating every week. Now its slowed down a bit, so its about 1 a month. FLETC is 4.5 months long, not including 6 weeks of Spanish training. In CBP, all armed positions and Agriculture Specialists go to FLETC, the others do not.