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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220 Questions

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Last Answer on April 22, 2019

Best Rated

My mom came to visit my family, CBP Officer gave her 6 month, but told her can stay only 3 month,
Should my mom leave after 3 month!

Asked by Vince over 9 years ago

Your mother probably has suspect travel history. If she comes to the US for 6 months, leaves for a month, comes back for 6 months then she's living in the US. Once a person maintains a consistent travel pattern, it can be used to cancel their visa.

Picture this, your a US citizen and you go to Colombia for six months. You come back to the US for a month or two, now you go back to Colombia for another six months, and repeat the cycle. Where do you REALLY live?

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 9 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.

You said you get supplies at the academy, does this include uniform, firearm, bullet proof vest, patches for vest, etc ?

Asked by Andrew about 9 years ago

Correct for all of the above. Everything you need for work will be issued to you at the academy. Your vest you will receive a quarter to halfway through. You will be using your issued firearm throughout the academy when your at the range, however, you wont be able to keep it until after you graduate the academy. The academy keeps it in storage until your range days and up until your graduation day.

I am on bail, but it doesnt state any trave restriction. Im Permanent Resident. I want to go putside the country, but Im concern about my return.

Asked by erm989 about 9 years ago

I would contact the judge or probation officer for a travel letter. Make sure you have permission to leave the country prior to traveling. We do receive alerts for active warrants and we do make those arrests. Please, use due diligence and make sure everything is in order prior to leaving the country. From my experience, anyone on bail cannot leave the US.

My buddy got a letter from customs stating there was a packing sent tonhim with steriods. How serious should one take this.

Asked by Joboh about 9 years ago

Very serious. He should read the entire letter and see if they want him to present himself to a Customs office. He should also check to see if he was issued a penalty. If the penalty is not paid timely, it will be taken from your tax return by the IRS with interest.

If I get job out side USA when I come back do I need bring prove where am work if yes what kind prove

Asked by Hammed about 9 years ago

If you are a United States Citizen, it does not matter to us where you work.

If you are a Legal Permanent Resident, lawfully, you must reside in the United States.

If you are a visitor to the United States, proof of employment outside the US would always help with you being granted admission.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

I find that my interests lie in data, trends, and solving puzzles. Would you say being a CBP officer affords these kinds of opportunities?

Asked by ajm almost 9 years ago

There are many opportunities within CBP. If your motivated, after a few years in the agency, you can apply for certain teams within your Port or specific national teams that do targeting. Their role is looking at data and trends for smuggling contraband into the United States. From first hand experience, some of those guys are unbelievably skilled at their jobs!

The only problem is, you need to tough it out through the rookie years, which could range from 4 to 8 years.