Labor Market for Border Patrol
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency under Homeland Security, is working hard to secure the U.S. borders, particularly those abutting Mexico. Those agents working to provide more security for Americans are called border patrol agents. Border patrol agents work about 14 hours a day and average around $55,000 a year, including overtime. The job is tough and the market is slim, but there are openings for those who want to serve and can meet the qualifications.
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About Border Patrol
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Federal border patrol agents are law-enforcement officials working along the two borders of the United States and Canada and Mexico. Some border patrol agents work strictly at designated points of entry into the U.S., checking to ensure those entering have proper identification and paperwork, while others cover unauthorized entry points in an attempt to keep out illegal immigrants, terrorist weapons and drugs. Border patrol agents use several techniques to secure the U.S. borders, including infrared scopes for night vision, electronic sensors and aircraft.
Labor Market
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The labor market for federal border patrol agents working under Homeland Security is extremely competitive, with an average of only 100 to 200 jobs available each year. Due to recent controversy surrounding the entry of some 12 million illegal Mexican immigrants into the United States, the job market for border patrol agents could increase. Much of this will depend on federal funding for Homeland Security. Of the available border patrol jobs, requirements are very tough and not everyone can meet the prerequisites to apply.
Hiring Qualifications
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Age restrictions apply to all front line border patrol positions, with a strict requirement that job candidates must be under the age of 37 and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants for border patrol positions must also hold a college degree or have comparable job experience handling dangerous and stressful situations. Candidates also undergo rigorous medical and fitness examinations, drug testing and background checks. Border patrol agents must also speak Spanish or be able to learn the language proficiently.
Territory Covered
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The federal government employs around 18,000 border patrol agents. These agents are responsible for physically patrolling 1,900 miles that border Mexico and another 5,000 miles bordering Canada. An additional 20,000 CBP agents work among the 300 different ports of entry into the U.S. screening both cargo and passengers. The highest percentage of U.S. border patrol agents are stationed in California, New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.
Support Positions
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Although front-line border patrol jobs are quite competitive due to the small number of jobs available each year, Homeland Security, under the agency of CBP, also employs about 8,000 behind-the-scenes workers to support front-line border patrol agents. These positions include investigation and compliance officers, auto mechanics, security clerks, administrators, paralegals, lawyers, IT specialists and human-resources specialists. Many of these positions are less stringent as far as the physical requirements and are generally less dangerous.
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