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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220 Questions

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Last Answer on April 22, 2019

Best Rated

After the academy, how much say do you get in where you get assigned? Can you choose geography? How about land crossing vs. airport?

Asked by Theod0re almost 10 years ago

After the academy you have ZERO say. When you apply for the job, you can apply for a geographical location. Some of them include Southwest border, Northwest, North East, South East, Florida, etc. When you get "the call" to get hired, they offer an unspecified amount of Port of Entries in that geographical location to pick from. After you pick it, your stuck with it until you do a port swap with another officer (after your fully trained) or re apply and start from scratch. You cannot ask for land border or airport. You can only pick what they offer.

how big is the wall DT is going to build, will it work, and will Mexico pay for it?

Asked by mcmjuly almost 9 years ago

I don't know.

Since you've said it's hard to get fired, does that result in a lot of officers who you think, on merit alone, probably shouldn't still be employed but are?

Asked by Laura over 9 years ago

On merit alone, I wouldn't fire anyone. Believe it or not, Its extremely difficult to catch drugs without someone else's help, especially as a newer officer. Some officer's go a full year without catching anything. The cartel's are getting very creative now a days.

I think an officer should be fired based on their professionalism. I would much rather get rid of an officer who has attitude issues over an officer who needs more training to find dope.

Do CBP officers talk politics or debate immigration reform at work, or is that kind of talk off-limits?

Asked by Frenchie almost 10 years ago

Politics and Immigration reform are our top topics for the break room. This talk is "supposed" to be off limits in public anyway.

Lived in US, 5 years ago. Overstayed my VISA by a few days, and voluntarily left. I tried to come back, they said I needed a new VISA. Was a Sri-Lankan then, now have a Bermuda Passport. Do you think they I will be stopped frm entering.

Asked by Rahix about 9 years ago

You need to obtain a visa prior to entry. You are inadmissible to the United States pursuant to 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) and 212(a)(9)(B). In order for you to overcome this in admissibility, you need to apply for a visa and obtain a waiver. If you dont and attempt to enter the US anyway, they will most likely set you up for an Expedited Removal.

Thanks for the response! What is your advice on following up with this. Request records via FOIA? Call them&ask? I just want to know if this will ever show up on top level checks. I need credentialing for my profession soon. Misdemeanour is no good!

Asked by Canadian about 9 years ago

The port won't give you any answers, legally they are not allowed to. You can submit a FOIA request but you may also get vague answers with that as well. I can almost guarantee, by the information you provided, you were not given any criminal record by us. It's more than likely they just wrote you a fine and sent you on your way. Hope this helps.

Is Mexico still a popular place for bodybuilders to go get illegal steroids, and will you basically send any super muscle-bound guy to secondary inspection like 100% of the time because of that?

Asked by Joe almost 10 years ago

Yes, it is very true that illegal and legal prescription steroids are easily accessible in Mexico. However, we do not send muscular men to secondary for the possibility of possessing steroids. We are trained and experienced in reading people. We look for people that stand out and behave differently than the rest. When that happens, I ask myself "What are they trying to hide? Do they have a weapon? Are they a terrorist? Do they have drugs? Illegal documents? Have they done something already that they're afraid of revealing? Or are they just an awkward person?" All of these questions I try to answer by doing an inspection.

I have, on multiple occasions, seized steroids from bodybuilders. However, I don't automatically assume they have steroids because they're bodybuilders. Depending on their behavior, I assume all of the above until I can disprove my theories after inspection.