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

where do you go to take the polygraph test for the border patrol . And what type of questions do they ask.

Asked by Mr.305 about 12 years ago

Not sure.  When I entered service they were still doing a full background investigation, so there was no polygraph test administered.  Can't help you there.

How do you join the border patrol horse patrol and do already have to know how to ride a horse and how long is the training.

Asked by Mr.305 about 12 years ago

Joining any specialty unit in the Border Patrol requires that you must have at least a year or two of field time.  I worked with the Horse Patrol guys a lot, but I'm not sure if they were all previous horse riders.  I'd think so, as it's not an easily learned skill.  Also, be advised that the Horse Patrol is constantly on the verge of being cut out of the Border Patrol - as it is costly and time consuming to keep and maintain horses.

The Horse Patrol spends a lot of extra hours trailering and keeping up their horses.  Sorry I can't be of more help on this question.  I am comfortable suggesting that you should know how to ride a horse prior.  Many stations do not have Horse Patrols - as they have been replaced by dirt bikes in many locations.  However, stations like mine kept Horse Patrol for use near the mountains and certain areas where they were more useful than dirt bikes.

After watching Border Wars, I have always wondered why the BP doesn't use dogs more for the night patrols. It seems to me the dogs could find any illegals quicker than agents using night vision. Is this economics or something else?

Asked by CL Smith about 12 years ago

We do use dogs frequently, at least one or two per shift.  They're very useful, but dogs are high maintenance because they can get injured paws etc. very easily out in the desert.  I agree we should have had more of them.  They're very effective.  K9 handlers also have to have special vehicles, and get special compensation (extra pay) to cover the time they spend looking after the dog.  They also do quite a bit of training, and we often used them at check points.

I think it's a matter of time/training/money that prevents us from having more.

my husband lived in fl with me and are son and went back to mexico and tryed to cross back and and got deported back to mexico and judge said he had to wait five years to come back. is there anything i can do to get him here sooner???

Asked by hazel about 12 years ago

Nope.  In fact if he gets caught and deported again the ban will increase to 20 years.  This is the penalty for breaking the law. 

About what percentage of the BP today is Native American?

Asked by C L Smith about 12 years ago

I couldn't give you an answer on that.  I only knew one Native American agent at my station of 450-500 agents.  But I can not speak for other stations/sectors.  I would imagine the percentage is incredibly small.

Can you be arrested based on your answers you give on the polygraph test.

Asked by Mr.305 about 12 years ago

This is an interesting question.  I'll simply say this: if you have committed crimes, felonies, etc. in the past - do not pursue becoming a federal agent.  First, they'll likely not hire you, secondly - you're not in the right mindset, nor of the moral character to be doing this line of work.

If this is a concern for anyone who is taking the polygraph test - you should already leave the application process.  They are not the kind of people we need, nor will hire.

I have a friend who has an expired visa. It's been expired for about two years. If we drive through a border patrol checkpoint will they deport him?

Asked by Acazz about 12 years ago

Yes.  A foreign citizen who has remained in the U.S. on an expired visa is out of status and breaking the law.  He is committing a crime by falsely remaining in the country outside of the conditions of his visa.