Ask a CBP Officer anything

220 Questions

Last Answer on April 22, 2019

I have a criminal record for DUI and Causing a Disturbance from nearly 30 years ago... I'm travelling with my two kids on vacation, Is the CBP officer going to ruin my vacation over it?

Asked by Jimmie about 8 years ago

If that is your only criminal arrest in the United States, then you should be fine. You will most definitely be sent to Secondary Inspection where they will review your criminal record. The reason for this is to see if you have anything else in your history which would bar you from entering the United States.

Plan accordingly, depending on the time of day and the amount of travelers, you may be in Secondary for an hour or more.

650 Votes

What happens if someone gives a false testimony and provides ficticious evidence to a CBP officer during secondary inspection but the testimony can't be proven false in order to gain entry? What would the consequences be if that person was caught?

Asked by M.Jones about 8 years ago

If you are an Alien seeking admission into the United States and you are caught lying to a CBP Officer in order to gain admission, a visa, or any other type of benefit from the United States, you will be charged under the Immigration and Nationality Act, 212(a)(6)(C).

If you are a United States citizen, you could be charged criminally under 18 U.S.C. Section 1001, and sentenced to up to 8 years in prison.

649 Votes

I am looking to start my application to become a CBPO. I have smoked weed in the past. I imagine past drug use is one of the questions they ask for the polygraph test. If you answer yes, does this automatically disqualify you?

Asked by Jimmy about 8 years ago

Not completely. There are a bunch of factors that could come into play. The best advice I can give you is to be completely honest on the polygraph and completely honest on the background questionnaire.

I had marijuana use in the past as well, but it wasn't habitual and I was open about it.

649 Votes

I am somewhat pudgy with no LEO or military experience going to FLETC this Summer. I scraped by the PFT. What is the work out program like and its expectations at FLETC? Do they invest in conditioning people or do they expect you to have it together?

Asked by Reywas almost 8 years ago

I suppose they expect you to have it somewhat together. At the very least, they want to see you motivated. Anyone can pass the PFT's at the academy if they try hard enough and set goals for themselves. I also barely scraped by the first PFT. But after enough conditioning throughout the academy, my 1.5 mile went from 15 mins and change to 11 minutes and 52 seconds.

You will be required to do physical training two days a week, 2 hours each day. Its up to the instructor on what they want to train (conditioning or defensive tactics). Otherwise, on your time your free to train as much or as little as you'd like.

648 Votes

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I have noticed that CBP officers at the internal checkpoints (near but not at the Mexican border) are actually fairly courteous. Is this actually a less stressful post than, say, the Canadian border, where they tend to be more gruff?

Asked by Nicholas about 8 years ago

I have never worked the internal checkpoints, so I am not quite sure. The only thing I can think of is there is much less pressure for the checkpoints inside than the border. Officers at the border are hounded by management, who is hounded by their Port Director, who is hounded by the Director of Field Operations, who is hounded by congressmen/chambers of commerce/politicians regarding border wait times. The unfortunate truth is, there are a lot of politics involved with this job. Sometimes, the politics take priority of getting the job done right.

646 Votes

The agency says there are a lot of career advancement opportunities once you've hit GS-12..I was wondering if you have found that to be true, and what career path most officers transfer to? Is a transfer to the FBI out of the question?

Asked by micole14 about 8 years ago

It is very true about the advancements after hitting GS-12. Within CBP, we have intelligence units, teams that work alongside JTTF, foreign liaison assignments, Field Trainer, and so much more.

You cannot "transfer" to FBI. You would have to apply like a normal citizen applying, you would just have a leg up with this law enforcement experience and current federal employment. I have seen several colleagues get hired for Secret Service, DEA, FBI, and HSI.

645 Votes

If a foreigner entered the country as a tourist for a month, but did a little bit of work and paid taxes on it, would that likely come up as a reason for entry refusal on his next visit (i.e. do CBP and IRS communicate to that level)?

Asked by Questioner1 over 8 years ago

Legally, I cant comment on the level of communication between different branches of the government. What I can tell you is that it is in fact illegal to work as a visitor. This would be cause for a Expedited Removal.

644 Votes

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CBP Officer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I have a criminal record for DUI and Causing a Disturbance from nearly 30 years ago... I'm travelling with my two kids on vacation, Is the CBP officer going to ruin my vacation over it?

What happens if someone gives a false testimony and provides ficticious evidence to a CBP officer during secondary inspection but the testimony can't be proven false in order to gain entry? What would the consequences be if that person was caught?

I am looking to start my application to become a CBPO. I have smoked weed in the past. I imagine past drug use is one of the questions they ask for the polygraph test. If you answer yes, does this automatically disqualify you?

I am somewhat pudgy with no LEO or military experience going to FLETC this Summer. I scraped by the PFT. What is the work out program like and its expectations at FLETC? Do they invest in conditioning people or do they expect you to have it together?

Also on Jobstr...

I have noticed that CBP officers at the internal checkpoints (near but not at the Mexican border) are actually fairly courteous. Is this actually a less stressful post than, say, the Canadian border, where they tend to be more gruff?

The agency says there are a lot of career advancement opportunities once you've hit GS-12..I was wondering if you have found that to be true, and what career path most officers transfer to? Is a transfer to the FBI out of the question?

If a foreigner entered the country as a tourist for a month, but did a little bit of work and paid taxes on it, would that likely come up as a reason for entry refusal on his next visit (i.e. do CBP and IRS communicate to that level)?

CBP Officer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I have a criminal record for DUI and Causing a Disturbance from nearly 30 years ago... I'm travelling with my two kids on vacation, Is the CBP officer going to ruin my vacation over it?

What happens if someone gives a false testimony and provides ficticious evidence to a CBP officer during secondary inspection but the testimony can't be proven false in order to gain entry? What would the consequences be if that person was caught?

I am looking to start my application to become a CBPO. I have smoked weed in the past. I imagine past drug use is one of the questions they ask for the polygraph test. If you answer yes, does this automatically disqualify you?

I am somewhat pudgy with no LEO or military experience going to FLETC this Summer. I scraped by the PFT. What is the work out program like and its expectations at FLETC? Do they invest in conditioning people or do they expect you to have it together?

Also on Jobstr...

I have noticed that CBP officers at the internal checkpoints (near but not at the Mexican border) are actually fairly courteous. Is this actually a less stressful post than, say, the Canadian border, where they tend to be more gruff?

The agency says there are a lot of career advancement opportunities once you've hit GS-12..I was wondering if you have found that to be true, and what career path most officers transfer to? Is a transfer to the FBI out of the question?

If a foreigner entered the country as a tourist for a month, but did a little bit of work and paid taxes on it, would that likely come up as a reason for entry refusal on his next visit (i.e. do CBP and IRS communicate to that level)?

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