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.
Yes. Well technically not for you to leave the country, but if you come back into the US (even as a US citizen) it is illegal to enter without crossing through a designated Port of Entry. Likewise you have no protection if you are apprehended by Mexican authorities (though they rarely watch their border).
Getting into the USBP is not overly difficult. You are perfectly qualified. The only issue would be whether or not the USBP is hiring or not. The academy is always running in some fashion. Classes are put through to fill slots as agents retire/transfer to other agencies.
Like every other politically-volatile agency the BP goes through hiring phases, and hiring freezes. When I joined it was part of the push from 8,000 agents up to 15,000+. The academy was absolutely packed, running overtime. Since then numbers have gone down a bit at the academy.
I would see if you can contact a recruiting agent. They may be able to start the hiring process and have you wait to finish your degree (above al things - finish your degree!) to report to the academy.
Short answer: yes. Law enforcement work of any type has statistically been very hard on families and relationships. Unfortunately law enforcement officers have a much higher rate of substance abuse, suicide, etc. It's a high stress line of work, working long hours, and dealing with the bottom of society. A lot of people live fine, normal lives - but the numbers are pretty bad. High rate of divorce is common. I do think the BP might be better than some local LEO work. I was away for an average of 11 hours a day, so if you have loved ones or family, it can be very taxing.
Depends on the criminal history. If prosecuted, as long as needed. If not prosecuted, only 24 hours in the U.S.
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No idea. That's a customs question, so I'm not sure. Mexican customs is pretty lax.
I've never even heard of an ICE locator, but as ICE deals with internal immigration handling, if they have a locator it will only contain illegals who are serving jail time for other crimes. The BP does not keep an active record of people in custody since most illegals are returned within 24 hours.
If someone is killed along the border (bandits, cartel etc.) the body will be handled by the local police department as with any other homicide. If the person has no identification or records then they'll be buried without identity. This is pretty common, as many people who die in the desert are consumed by wildlife within 24-36 hours, so identification becomes nearly impossible unless identification is carried by the person.
If a citizen of another country is found dead, and identified then the police department will likely contact their country of origin an attempt to locate relatives.
I have no idea. The exam is made for people who have no prior Border Patrol experience, so I am not sure you'd have a big advantage.
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