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!
Yes. People forget that we are law enforcement officers. We handcuff people for a number of reasons, it does not necessarily mean your under arrest. If I think it'll be safer for everyone if i handcuff you before I search your car, I am completely justified in doing so. We must always take officer safety into account. If your twice my size and intoxicated, I am going to handcuff you so the situation does not turn ugly.
It is very true about the advancements after hitting GS-12. Within CBP, we have intelligence units, teams that work alongside JTTF, foreign liaison assignments, Field Trainer, and so much more.
You cannot "transfer" to FBI. You would have to apply like a normal citizen applying, you would just have a leg up with this law enforcement experience and current federal employment. I have seen several colleagues get hired for Secret Service, DEA, FBI, and HSI.
I suppose they expect you to have it somewhat together. At the very least, they want to see you motivated. Anyone can pass the PFT's at the academy if they try hard enough and set goals for themselves. I also barely scraped by the first PFT. But after enough conditioning throughout the academy, my 1.5 mile went from 15 mins and change to 11 minutes and 52 seconds.
You will be required to do physical training two days a week, 2 hours each day. Its up to the instructor on what they want to train (conditioning or defensive tactics). Otherwise, on your time your free to train as much or as little as you'd like.
If you are an Alien seeking admission into the United States and you are caught lying to a CBP Officer in order to gain admission, a visa, or any other type of benefit from the United States, you will be charged under the Immigration and Nationality Act, 212(a)(6)(C).
If you are a United States citizen, you could be charged criminally under 18 U.S.C. Section 1001, and sentenced to up to 8 years in prison.
Border Patrol Agent
Chick-fil-A General Manager
Radio program/music director
Not completely. There are a bunch of factors that could come into play. The best advice I can give you is to be completely honest on the polygraph and completely honest on the background questionnaire.
I had marijuana use in the past as well, but it wasn't habitual and I was open about it.
I have never worked the internal checkpoints, so I am not quite sure. The only thing I can think of is there is much less pressure for the checkpoints inside than the border. Officers at the border are hounded by management, who is hounded by their Port Director, who is hounded by the Director of Field Operations, who is hounded by congressmen/chambers of commerce/politicians regarding border wait times. The unfortunate truth is, there are a lot of politics involved with this job. Sometimes, the politics take priority of getting the job done right.
Your mother probably has suspect travel history. If she comes to the US for 6 months, leaves for a month, comes back for 6 months then she's living in the US. Once a person maintains a consistent travel pattern, it can be used to cancel their visa.
Picture this, your a US citizen and you go to Colombia for six months. You come back to the US for a month or two, now you go back to Colombia for another six months, and repeat the cycle. Where do you REALLY live?
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