Can You Work Border Patrol If You Have a Bankruptcy? (2024)

US Border Patrol agents help prevent terrorists and their weapons from getting into the United States. As employees of the Department of Homeland Security, they also try to prevent the illegal entry or smuggling of undocumented aliens. Applicants for BPA positions undergo thorough scrutiny and may not qualify for the job for any number of reasons.

Credit Problems

Credit problems, including bankruptcy, don't automatically exclude you from being a border patrol agent. The government scrutinizes them very seriously, though, in an application process that can take up to 18 months. The fear is that your failure to live within your means could indicate poor judgment, lack of self-control and worse. The government doesn't want to put you in a position where you can compromise security for financial gain.

Mitigating Factors

In an adjudicative process, US Customs and Border Protection looks at the circ*mstances surrounding your financial picture. Conditions that would mitigate its concern over whether or not you're a security risk include: how long ago the financial problems were; what caused the problems; are the problems likely to occur again; and, among other considerations, did you make a good-faith effort to repay the debts.

Bankruptcy

The adjudicative guidelines purposely avoid the word "bankruptcy," because the CBP recognizes that can be a responsible way of getting your finances in order.

Can You Work Border Patrol If You Have a Bankruptcy? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Work Border Patrol If You Have a Bankruptcy? ›

Credit problems, including bankruptcy, don't automatically exclude you from being a border patrol agent. The government scrutinizes them very seriously, though, in an application process that can take up to 18 months.

What will disqualify you from border patrol? ›

You may be disqualified if your background includes:

Use of illegal drugs and/or the sale distribution of illegal drugs. Convictions, including misdemeanor domestic violence charges. International harboring or concealment of undocumented noncitizens.

Does CBP check your credit? ›

The background investigation will include credit and criminal history checks, records checks to verify citizenship of members, verification of date of birth, education, employment history, and military history.

What are the working conditions for Border Patrol? ›

Work Environment

The work of a border patrol agent can be tiring and stressful. Because agents must cover the borders continuously, hours are irregular and shifts tend to vary. Most agents spend more time outdoors in jeeps, cars, helicopters, or on horseback than they do in offices.

What are the eye requirements for Border Patrol? ›

Applicants must be in sound physical condition and of good muscular development. Vision: inocular vision is required and must test 20/40 (Snellen) without corrective lenses. Uncorrected vision must test at least 20/70 in each eye. Vision in each eye must be corrected to 20/20.

Can I be a border patrol agent with bad credit? ›

Credit problems, including bankruptcy, don't automatically exclude you from being a border patrol agent. The government scrutinizes them very seriously, though, in an application process that can take up to 18 months.

Does border patrol check for warrants? ›

Many travelers wonder if CBP is alerted when an inbound passenger has a warrant for their arrest issued. Yes, CBP is alerted.

What will disqualify you from federal employment? ›

Some issues that may result in an unfavorable suitability determination include: financial irresponsibility; poor credit history; drug/alcohol abuse; arrest history; misconduct in prior employment; association with individuals involved in illegal activities such as drug use and drug trafficking; and demonstrated lack ...

How long does it take to get hired with CBP? ›

CBP offers competitive salaries and federal benefits, and has a hiring process that typically takes between 3 to 12 months, but can be streamlined for qualifying veterans. Are you ready to start your journey?

How much does US Border Patrol make an hour? ›

As of Jun 8, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Cbp Border Patrol in California is $28.04 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $47.45 and as low as $14.71, the majority of Cbp Border Patrol salaries currently range between $20.62 (25th percentile) to $31.78 (75th percentile) in California.

Is border patrol a risky job? ›

Working as a border patrol agent is often dangerous because there are so many hazards that can affect you daily. The best method of staying safe on the job is to wear body armor and stay properly armed.

Is there a shortage in border patrol officers? ›

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kelly also issued a directive to add 500 Air and Marine agents. Both are in addition to filling a deficit of more than 1,300 CBP officers and 1,700 Border Patrol agents.

What is the age cut off for border patrol? ›

A. The day before an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum age for original appointment to a customs and border protection officer, firefighter, or law enforcement officer position within DHS.

What is the 100 mile rule for border patrol? ›

The federal government defines a “reasonable distance” as 100 air miles from any external boundary of the U.S. So, combining this federal regulation and the federal law regarding warrantless vehicle searches, CBP claims authority to board a bus or train without a warrant anywhere within this 100-mile zone.

Is it hard to get into border patrol? ›

Due to the rigorous border patrol job requirements, applicants must be physically fit and must take a timed fitness test that consists of performing sit-ups and push-ups. You will also have to do a 14-inch step with 120 steps per minute.

What can border patrol stop you for? ›

Border Patrol may stop vehicles at certain checkpoints to: (1) ask a few, limited questions to verify citizenship of the vehicles' occupants and (2) visually inspect the exterior of a vehicle. Agents may send any vehicle to a secondary inspection area for the same purpose: brief questioning and visual inspection.

Is it hard to get hired as a border patrol agent? ›

The screening and selection procedures for US Border Patrol are exhaustive, including a series of physical fitness tests, and the competition is very high.

What does border patrol check for? ›

Traffic checks are conducted on major highways leading away from the border to (1) detect and apprehend individuals attempting to travel further into the interior of the United States after evading detection at the border and (2) to detect illegal narcotics.

Can you join border patrol with a criminal record? ›

A criminal conviction is one of the common border patrol disqualifiers. It is important to be upfront and honest about your conviction, as lying about your history will also disqualify you from the position.

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