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!
Thanks for the compliment!
We don't have any factual statistics like local police do, however, I would say the numbers are very similar, especially at the southern border. Officers can expect to work between two and three 16 hour shifts a week. This puts a huge damper on relationships. I would say at least 30% of the officers I worked with have been divorced at least once. 5 to 10% divorced more than once.
I got a little lucky with my wife. Before I worked for CBP, I worked 2 jobs, sometimes 3 jobs, at one time and I was rarely ever around. I would have only 1 day off and work approximately 12 to 18 hours a day every day. My wife came into this relationship already knowing that and accepting it. Once I was hired with CBP, I worked a lot less hours than I have in the past so It worked out for us.
For U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the southwest border is in dire need of officers. The agency provides support to those officers by having officers at airports work Temporary Duty (TDY) at various Ports of Entry for extended periods of time. Hundreds of officers have signed up to participate, most voluntarily, very few mandated.
So yes, it does actually happen!
Usually we don't care. The only time I ever called shore patrol on a couple of active duty Marines was when one of them was intoxicated and wasn't listening to my instructions. Unfortunately, we fought him to the ground and put him in handcuffs. MP's were not happy to see him or his buddy.
You need to ask yourself the following question, "If an American citizen came to my country for X many months and comes back X weeks later to stay X many months again, is he really just visiting?"
This what every officer thinks about when seeing someone with a history of remaining in the US for extended periods of time. Every officer calculates "Is this alien spending more time inside this country than outside?"
Theres no clear answer to your question, you just need to make sure your not spending more time inside the US than outside.
Fashion Model
Magician
Football Official
CBP Officers may ask for email for a number of reasons. Our agency does a lot of behind the scenes targeting that people are unaware of. I cant really give you more information than that.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a doctor or a pharmacist coming to the United States to obtain additional licensing or certification. The only crime would be, if you were getting paid to provide services in the US or if you were to receive some sort of government provided financial aid to pay for the classes.
Yes. There is a policy on how long it is allowed to be, but I'm not exactly sure of the measurements.
Under 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, even admitting to a crime can make you inadmissible into the United States. Technically, as per law, you will be permanently inadmissible to the United States for drug use. Generally, there is no waiver for drug use. However, you may get lucky and find a State Department employee at the embassy who will grant you a waiver anyways. There is no length of time you have to wait.
To be honest, with what you said, I can see someone granting you a waiver eventually. But as I stated, under law you are permanently inadmissible.
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