CBP News Release

Border Patrol Kicks Off California Hiring Blitz to Reach Presidential Mandate

(Wednesday, October 01, 2008)

Washington - U.S. Customs and Border Protection recruiters will look to California with four simultaneous Border Patrol agent recruiting events. On Saturday, October 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., CBP’s California Blitz will launch recruiting events in four population centers including the cities of Pasadena, Sacramento, Santa Ana and Santa Clara.In 2006, President George W. Bush announced his commitment to add 6,000 additional Border Patrol agents by the end of 2008. With more than 17,300 agents on board today, CBP is working toward a total of 18,000 agents by the end of this year. This is the largest expansion of the Border Patrol in history.

Hiring an unprecedented number of Border Patrol agents sparked efforts to expand recruiting efforts.

Along with the Southern Blitz, national outreach includes the second year of a NASCAR Nationwide Series Racing #28 car sponsorship, a Professional Bull Riders sponsorship, applicant study guide and complementary study DVD, revamped Border Patrol website that includes agent testimonials, simultaneous Border Patrol-initiated recruitment events across the country in under-recruited areas, along with advertising and recruiting at U.S. military installations in the continental U.S. and abroad. ( borderpatrol.gov )

Recruiters consider military veterans a fertile source as they make up 25 percent of CBP’s workforce.

On Saturday, California Blitz on-site recruiters will offer:

Answers to applicant questions
Application assistance and online application submission
Test-taking tips, practice testing and evaluation
Accounts of their career experiences protecting our nation's borders
Five things a Border Patrol recruit can expect:

Border Patrol recruits earn between $36,000 and $46,000 in their first year, with the potential of earning up to $70,000 per year within three years of service.

Benefits include federal health insurance, life insurance and retirement, and up to 25 percent additional pay in overtime opportunities.
Successful Border Patrol candidates will complete a rigorous screening process, which includes a written examination and structured interview, language aptitude or Spanish proficiency test, along with a physical fitness test and medical examination.

Training is provided and includes a 55-day basic training program upon successfully passing a Spanish proficiency exam in the academy; all others will complete a 40-day Spanish immersion course upon completing basic training. All training is conducted in Artesia, New Mexico.
Initial assignments will be in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.
Border Patrol Snapshot

The Border Patrol is specifically responsible for patrolling almost 7,000 miles of Mexican and Canadian international land borders.

One of the most important activities of a Border Patrol agent is line watch. This involves the detection, prevention and apprehension of terrorists, undocumented aliens and smugglers of aliens or illegal goods at or near the land border.

For recruiting event information, dial toll free (877) 277-9527 or apply online at the Border Patrol website and enter recruiting code: SCGA. ( borderpatrol.gov )

California Blitz Recruiting Locations
Saturday, October 4, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pasadena
Courtyard Marriott Old Pasadena
180 North Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103 Santa Ana
Embassy Suites
Orange County Airport North Hotel
1325 East Dyer Road
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Sacramento
Embassy Suites
Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
100 Capital Mall
Sacramento, CA 95814 Santa Clara
Hilton Santa Clara Hotel
4949 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release

Tara Dunlop
Human Resources, Technology, Training
Phone: (202) 344-2497
Fax: (202) 344-1393

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