CBP Increases Recruitment Incentive to New Border Patrol Agents
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is offering increased sign-on bonuses to U.S. Border Patrol recruits to spur hiring as CBP copes with a record number of migrant crossings at the U.S. southern border. CBP will pay agents as much as $30,000.
Recruits will receive $10,000 if they complete the Border Patrol Academy. After three years of service, they will receive another $10,000.
Those stationed in remote locations like Sierra Blanca, Texas, Presidio, Texas, Lordsburg, New Mexico, Ajo, Arizona, and other remote areas, are eligible for an additional $10,000.
Previously, CBP offered only up to $20,000 for new recruits who completed academy training and chose a hard-to-full location.
“The ability to safeguard our borders and keep Americans safe is our top priority at CBP and to do that successfully we must attract qualified candidates to fill critical positions,” said Assistant Commissioner Andrea Bright, CBP Human Resources Management.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens echoed this position, saying the increased incentive will help those on the fence consider a federal law enforcement career.
“Getting into law enforcement can be difficult. Often, candidates must be willing to move to a new location,” said Chief Owens.
To further spur hiring, CBP also held a virtual career expo to showcase opportunities available within the agency.
The event featured information sessions about the hiring process, as well as the ability to hear from current CBP employees in all sorts of roles. The speakers also discussed opportunities for transitioning military, veterans, and military spouses, as well as both law enforcement and non-law enforcement positions.
Congressional Gridlock
In October, the Biden Administration requested $14 billion to hire additional border agents and other staff, as part of a broader $105 billion supplemental package that also includes aid to Ukraine.
However, that request has been held up in the House by Republicans who say it doesn’t go far enough to address border concerns.
Meanwhile, a small group of bipartisan senators is nearing the finish line of a compromise that would unlock Ukraine aid in exchange for various boosts to border security. Still, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson wrote in a letter to colleagues that such a bill would be “dead on arrival” in the House.