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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Last Answer on April 22, 2019

Best Rated

I really love this thread and the amount you have put into it! Great information and resource! I was wondering if the divorce rate/stress on a marriage is the same as you might see for police officers? Have you noticed it in your own life?

Asked by micole14 over 9 years ago

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.

I was granted a US B1/B2 Visa from a Consulate in GB. I could not use the ESTA as I have a criminal record from my youth. As I have been granted a Visa what is the likely hood of the CBP Officer denying me entry and revoking my Visa?

Asked by Brian Cooper about 9 years ago

There is a very low chance CBP will deny your entry. If you stated this fact to the US Consular officer during your Visa application, this could not be used as a ground of inadmissibility.

A family member who's is a regular cbp officer is constantly going to Arizona to "work". They don't show any proof of being there. Is this something that happens? Lately they have been going monthly. They are based out of Florida.

Asked by David over 9 years ago

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!

what happens if a lpr is caught living in mexico

Asked by pepe over 9 years ago

If a CBP Officer were to be the one finding out, they would process you for a Notice to Appear before an immigration judge, where he would decide if he will revoke your I-551 Lawful Permanent Resident Card.

Still Mae. Entry 03/10/2016-03/31/2016 next is 05/22/2016-08/10/16 then 09/07/2016 to 02/27/2017 then planning to return on the last of April or early May 2017. Is this okay to re enter the US this fast?

Asked by Mae over 9 years ago

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.

Why do a CBP officer ask for email? Do they have access to email and facebook or any social media platforms?
If a doctor or pharmacist is coming to USA for exam to obtain licensure, is it gonna be a crime? I heard that it falls in crime?

Asked by Kaka210 about 10 years ago

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.

I am a legal permanent resident. What are some probable outcomes if I refuse to unlock my phone/laptop at the border? What's the worst-case outcome?

Thanks! This is a great thread.

Asked by James about 9 years ago

You are not required to give your password to your laptop or phone to the officer. However, the officer only needs reasonable suspicion that you may have illicit information in the computer to use a device which unlocks it. In order to use the device, your computer would be seized and brought to a facility. This process takes time.

Worst case outcome for an LPR - You will be held at the border for several hours (later released) and your computer could be seized for several months. Unless you have something illegal, then it changes thins depending on what you have.