Ask a CBP Officer anything

220 Questions

Last Answer on April 22, 2019

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 over 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.

791 Votes

What's up with the recent news stories about CBP officers asking Muslims about their religion and their thoughts about Donald Trump? Would this be considered religious profiling? Is this allowed, and if so, what is the purpose of these questions?

Asked by sstevens over 8 years ago

One thing I will say from personal experience, I had to hold someone for about 45 minutes before I was able to clear him in our system. His name was similar to a convicted felon wanted for child endangerment. My job was to determine if this person in front of me was the same person who was wanted. I cordially explained to him why he was back there and what I was trying to accomplish. He was very friendly and thanked me for doing what I was doing. About 4 days later, I read a news article that and this person was on it. He told the news outlet that he was locked in a room for 2 hours, denied food and water, and was treated like a criminal. I couldn't believe it! I treat everyone with professionally and with respect, this person even acknowledged it, and yet here he is in the paper saying all of this.

Needless to say, the news, or the person being interviewed, may not always portray the accurate truth.

To answer your question as best I can, we are not legally allowed to make a determination based on religion. It is against the law for anyone (CBP, local police, even an employer) to make a decision based on religion.

791 Votes

1) What does "n/r" mean in the CBP record?
2) If asked why coming to the US, I answered 'to visit friends', but later when asked more about who are these friends I disclosed that I have a fiance, will it be 'misrepresentation'?

Asked by M07 over 8 years ago

1) To be honest, I've never seen that before. It may be a local port thing.

2) That doesn't necessarily mean misrepresentation, unless the officer ascertains that you purposely were trying to hide your true intentions. It's not illegal to have a fiance in the United States, but it is illegal to lie to a federal officer regarding the real reason why you want to enter the United States.

Misrepresentation charges are used primarily for people who try to use a stolen visa or stolen passport to make entry.

791 Votes

I'm interested in becoming a CBPO, but one of the things I'm consistently worried about is being forced to work 16 hour days, as I've seen some people complain about. Is this a common situation(specifically for Northern protection)?

Asked by Whit about 8 years ago

Yes, the unfortunate part of life is working 16 hour days for this job. Depending on your location, this could happen twice a week, once a month, or never, etc. If you are serious about this job, you have to accept the fact that you may be forced to work overtime. In my honest opinion, I dont think there is any officer in this agency who has not been forced overtime.

790 Votes

Also on Jobstr...

Border Patrol Agent

Do Mexican authorities help on THEIR side of the border?

Help Desk Technician

Does it get aggravating answering people's dumb questions all day long?

Police Officer

Can I become a cop if I have misdemeanors on my record?

How is FLETC CBP Officer basic training structured on the calendar? Do they graduate three classes a year (seasonal). Is it just a May to July thing? Do all Field Ops personnel go to Glynco? Thanks for the help.

Asked by REYWAS over 8 years ago

When I went through FLETC, we had 1 to 2 classes graduating every week. Now its slowed down a bit, so its about 1 a month. FLETC is 4.5 months long, not including 6 weeks of Spanish training. In CBP, all armed positions and Agriculture Specialists go to FLETC, the others do not.

789 Votes

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 over 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.

789 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 over 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.

788 Votes

Showing 113 - 119

Show All

34 More Answers by CBP Officer

Last 7

14 15 16 17 18 19

...

Next 7 Answers

CBP Officer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

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?

What's up with the recent news stories about CBP officers asking Muslims about their religion and their thoughts about Donald Trump? Would this be considered religious profiling? Is this allowed, and if so, what is the purpose of these questions?

1) What does "n/r" mean in the CBP record?
2) If asked why coming to the US, I answered 'to visit friends', but later when asked more about who are these friends I disclosed that I have a fiance, will it be 'misrepresentation'?

I'm interested in becoming a CBPO, but one of the things I'm consistently worried about is being forced to work 16 hour days, as I've seen some people complain about. Is this a common situation(specifically for Northern protection)?

Also on Jobstr...

How is FLETC CBP Officer basic training structured on the calendar? Do they graduate three classes a year (seasonal). Is it just a May to July thing? Do all Field Ops personnel go to Glynco? Thanks for the help.

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?

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?

CBP Officer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

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?

What's up with the recent news stories about CBP officers asking Muslims about their religion and their thoughts about Donald Trump? Would this be considered religious profiling? Is this allowed, and if so, what is the purpose of these questions?

1) What does "n/r" mean in the CBP record? 2) If asked why coming to the US, I answered 'to visit friends', but later when asked more about who are these friends I disclosed that I have a fiance, will it be 'misrepresentation'?

I'm interested in becoming a CBPO, but one of the things I'm consistently worried about is being forced to work 16 hour days, as I've seen some people complain about. Is this a common situation(specifically for Northern protection)?

Also on Jobstr...

How is FLETC CBP Officer basic training structured on the calendar? Do they graduate three classes a year (seasonal). Is it just a May to July thing? Do all Field Ops personnel go to Glynco? Thanks for the help.

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?

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?

Login

Forgot Your Password?

Register

1) What does "n/r" mean in the CBP record?
2) If asked why coming to the US, I answered 'to visit friends', but later when asked more about who are these friends I disclosed that I have a fiance, will it be 'misrepresentation'?