CBP expands search for Border Patrol agents to military posts and college campuses

Customs and Border Protection continues to ramp up recruiting efforts nationwide to hire thousands of Border Patrol agents.

Shortly after President Donald Trump was elected into office, he called for five-thousand additional agents.

CBP reports there are about 19,400 agents on duty, nearly 2,000 agents below the mandated 21, 370 agents.

In a CNN article published last month, a chief at the Border Patrol academy said there is some pressure finiding men and women willing to do a “remote, dusty and sometimes dangerous job.”

ABC-7 talked to a local recruiter who said CBP is expanding its search to military posts, colleges and universities.

Jose Avina said veterans are a top recruit for CBP.

“They are valuable assets. They already have great experience in the military and some of them have part of the background clearance and that helps expedite the process,” Avina said.

CBP has a recruiting office on Fort Bliss for soldiers who are transitioning out at looking for another career option.

Avina said some former military personnel can be exempt from certain portions of the application process, like the polygraph test.

Their hiring process could also take less than the standard nine to twelve months.

Veterans can also be exempt from the age requirement to become a Border Patrol agent if they meet certain criteria. Applicants must be under the age of 40 when they apply to be considered.

CBP partnered with New Mexico State University to offer a mentorship program in which a CBP recruiter is available once a week on campus.

The collaboration is the first of its kind for CBP.