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

I've gotten a chance to graduate high school early this year at the age of 16 I thought about going to college and then going into the Marine Corps but I'm also interested in boarder patrol. Would being in the Marine Corps have ant benefits for that?

Asked by Natalie over 11 years ago

Sure, it would.  The military can prepare you for a lot of stuff which translate over to the BP (as the BP is a very para-military organization).  I had several Marines in my academy class.  they were pretty squared away, but...oddly, they couldn't swim that well!?  I'd probably suggest the Marines before the BP if you're young and looking to start a new life. 

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 over 11 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.

I'm an f-1 visa student. There is a guy in my school that is always bothering me and wants to fight me. If I get into a fight will I be deported?

Asked by Mikeloco over 11 years ago

If you are accused of a crime and arrested, yes you can be deported.  Fighting someone is not a crime.  A little silly and immature, but not a crime.  Now if you assault him, and charges are filed, yes you will be in violation of your immigration status and subject to the consequences.

About what percentage of the BP today is Native American?

Asked by C L Smith over 11 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.

When you took the logical reasoning section, how much time you had when you once you took it. I talk to some people, and they say they gave them 2 hours for the logical section part. Is this true.

Asked by Joe over 11 years ago

Honestly I can't remember.  The logical reasoning portion is the easiest part of the exam though.  I wouldn't stress over it.  Sorry I can't recall the times - it might be explained in the paperwork prior to your test though.

How often is the BP successful in catching the "coyote(s)" who bring in illegals? And how often would you estimate illegals turn the "coyote(s)" in?

Asked by CL Smith over 11 years ago

It's pretty easy to pick them out.  Many of the coyotes though are career coyotes.  They've been doing this stuff for years, if not decades.  We could very easily spot or figure out the coyotes if we caught them.  However, they're normally pretty smart and would bail or abandon the group when they could tell agents were nearby.  Illegals rarely 'turned in" coyotes, because they knew there could be repercussions for them later, back in Mexico etc.

 

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 over 11 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.