Border patrol jobs are crucial to regulating border crossings, including the one situated on the US-Canada border in Lynden, Washington. Part of Whatcom County, Lynden was home to more than 11,850 individuals as of 2010. With a rich history of ancestors determined to do well and succeed, this little town is proud of its heritage and even more proud of the men and women that work border patrol jobs and perform their duty by keeping the border crossing secure.
Lynden, Washington was home to the first Border Patrol Sector Headquarters in the Pacific Northwest, which opened in 1924 due to a reaction to an increase of immigration legalization. This gives the prospect interested in working with the agents here at Lynden the benefit of serving in a location with an 89 years heritage.
The Lynden Aldergrove crossing is located off of SR 539 and open daily from 8:00 a.m. to midnight. This port is thought to be the fastest out of the four located throughout the Washington border and is often recommended by locals, regardless of the fact that it is a bit off the beaten path. It is a Class A US port, meaning it is a designated port for all aliens.
Border Patrol Agent Job Requirements for Lynden, Washington
Armed with the duty of preventing the entry of terrorists and illegal citizens, border patrol agents working in the Blaine sector in Washington are handed the duty of enforcing laws that uphold the security of the United States.
The requirements for securing border patrol jobs in Lynden to become a Customs and Border Control agent are as follows:
- At the time of employment, be 40 years of age or younger, unless eligible for Veterans’ Preference or have previous Federal law experience
- Be a U.S. citizen and an resident of the United States
- Either be fluent in the Spanish language or be willing to pursue the language
- Possess a valid Washington driver’s license
- Pass an extensive background investigation
- Pass a series of tests, such as: medical examination, fitness level, drug test and physical fitness test-2
Applicants will be required to submit to a polygraph.
Upon being deemed eligible, candidates will undergo training at a qualified CBP Academy. If accepted applicant personnel do not already know Spanish, additional language instruction will be required after the initial training.
Controversy Surrounding the Increase of Border Patrol Agents
In April of 2012 there was some controversy concerning how much federal border patrol agents were involved in local law enforcement in Lynden. Some felt that going as far as to provide translation services for local law enforcement when a non-English speaker was in custody was beyond the scope of their jurisdiction. Although a majority of the complaints were seen from Latinos that felt uncomfortable with the sudden influx of agents, there were still others that felt uneasy with the prospect of federal agents providing translation services between detainees and local police. At the same time, there were also other citizens that felt the increase in border patrol agents made them feel safer.
This is not to say that border patrol agents are not made to feel welcome in Lynden—quite the opposite. When considering the prospect of becoming an agent in Lynden, it would do well to keep in mind that although there is an increase in the amount of agents working the border, the US CBP is always on the lookout for qualified recruits.