Border Patrol Agent

Border Patrol Agent

Oscar

Charleston, SC

Male, 31

Spent a bit over four years (2006-2010) serving as a Border Patrol Agent in Tucson Sector, AZ: the busiest sector in the country. Worked numerous positions, and spent the last year and a half operating/instructing ground radar installations. Duties included: field patrols, transport, processing, control room duties, transportation check, checkpoint operations, static watch duties, etc.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

385 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on November 08, 2016

Best Rated

When you would go out on patrol, what items were considered SOP to take with you?

Asked by CL Smith over 12 years ago

This depended on the task, but everyday uniform wear included: Uniform trousers and shirt, soft body armor, duty belt with radio, handcuffs, collapsible steel baton, flashlight, leatherman, pistol, pistol magazines, keepers and occasionally a spare pouch for a gps, and sometimes a medical pouch.  In your pockets you'd bring a knife or two, handheld gps, notepads, pens, batteries for all of your stuff.  You'd always bring a pair or two of gloves for searching stuff, boots.  When out on foot for any length of time you'd take a camelbak with water, some food, etc.  If needed a shotgun or M4 carbine was available.  You'd end up toting around perhaps 25 lbs. of junk.  Not much, but enough that you'd feel it when you took it off at the end of the day.

I meet an agent going through port on entry he ask for my phone and he has ask me out, is it premitt for agent to do this??

Asked by Abby over 12 years ago

(Note: I deleted the duplicate question)

While it may be a little...inappropriate, I don't believe social interactions are against any kind of policy.  This would be the same as a normal police officer asking someone out on a date.

An agent could not pull someone over just to try to socialize with them - that violates all sorts of policies.  Likewise no law enforcement officer/agent is allowed to use their power to find out personal information about someone.  An agent can not run a cute girl's license plate just to get her name/address etc.  That stuff is against the law and will land an agent in jail.

If you were just going through a normal Border Patrol check point and an agent socialized with you, this is technically completely legal/fine.  A Border Patrol agent is allowed to have a social/dating relationship with anyone as long as they are not illegal aliens or here on a violation of status.

Obviously, you are never - EVER required to socially interact with an agent if you don't want to.  You must answer the appropriate questions allowed by law at checkpoints and ports of entry, but if you don't wish to converse with the agents socially, don't.

I was charged with a felony of domestic assault and battery, but not convicted. I went through Florida Violence Intervention Program (FVIP). Is there anyway to become a Border Patrol Agent?

Asked by Austin over 11 years ago

Not likely.  Any charges or convictions of domestic related violence prohibit a person from owning (or carrying) a firearm, which is obviously required for law enforcement.

Hello, so i processed my app online and am scheduled to take the entrance exam. Do i have to pay for the exam?

Asked by Kayleen over 12 years ago

No.  You do not pay for anything while entering the BP (though you will have to pay for your flight to your duty station, or travel to Artesia, NM for the academy).

my mother tried crossing illegally and got caught, she is married to my dad a u.s citizen its been 13 years since shes in Mexico is their any way she be a US citizen.

Asked by eddy over 12 years ago

You mean that she's been in Mexico for 13 years, or that she's been in the U.S. for 13 years and recently went back to Mexico and was caught coming in?  If she's legally applying for status or citizenship then she's just made a huge mistake.  Illegal entries during the application process will negate the application completely and she will be refused entry.  If she has been deported, she will have a 5 year ban on legal application, and a subsequent deportation will result in a further ban (I believe it's 10 or 20 years).  There is no point in breaking the law while trying to legally do something. 

if alien enters usa thru Canada thru unmanned border with his passport is that considered illegal entry?

Asked by mason about 12 years ago

Yep. 

border crossing booths; (where each vehicle stops to show paper docs; ID/Passports upon entry/exiting) why dont they have fingerprint pad that can be passed into the vehicle where each passenger must provide their thumbprint for a live scan?

Asked by IT Curious almost 12 years ago

Good question.  There are loads of things we likely "should" do, but many we don't.  I assume you're referring to Canadian crossings, including booths and remote cameras.  I have no experience up there, so I'm not sure how they operate.