Located in the northwest corner of Minnesota, Roseau is one of the larger cities in the region with a population of nearly 3,000 people. Roseau County boasts abundant wilderness, including State and County Parks and forest land that are home to a multitude of wildlife. Visitors to Roseau may enjoy many outdoor recreational activities in both summer and winter. In fact, vacationers comprise a significant portion of the traffic at the Roseau/South Junction Border Crossing. Local residents also pass through the border crossing frequently. However, commercial traffic is light at this crossing.
The Roseau/South Junction Border Crossing is open daily from 8 am until midnight. Commercial services are available during limited hours on weekdays. Persons transporting cargo across the border are advised to call the port to confirm the availability of commercial processing.
The Grand Forks Sector of United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
The Roseau Port of Entry is a substation of the Pembina Service Port, which provides a full range of immigration and commercial services while supporting many of the areas border patrol jobs. Along with other ports of entry and stations within Minnesota, Roseau belongs to the Grand Forks Sector of the US CBP. Border patrol jobs in Roseau involve patrolling the section of the United States border with Canada from North Dakota to Wisconsin. Agents based at Pembina, including those at Roseau, have 102 miles of land to secure.
Providing National Security from Roseau
The United States’ shared border with Canada has seen an increase in patrolling since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. As a program of the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) makes national security a top priority. Border Patrol agents are in a unique position to prevent terrorists and weapons from entering the United States. The Grand Forks Sector is also vulnerable to the smuggling of narcotics and other contraband, and to human trafficking.
In order to fight these threats along the northern border, CBP has increased staffing tenfold since 2009. Currently, more than 200 agents work in the Grand Forks Sector. CBP has also employed new technology to enhance border protection. In 2008, an advanced radiation detection device was installed at the Roseau Port of Entry. This device allows Border Patrol agents to detect any sources of radiation from vehicles that pass by them. Agents are also equipped with handheld devices. Radiation detection equipment is one tool that CBP is using to prevent terrorism on U.S. soil.
Getting a Job with CBP
Border Patrol agents are hired at several levels, depending on education, training and experience. Salaries vary accordingly. As federal employees, Border Patrol agents meet requirements for federal benefits packages which include retirement, health insurance and other perks. Border Patrol agents also have the opportunity to earn overtime pay.
Candidates for Border Patrol jobs in Roseau must have a history of good conduct. They will be expected to pass a background check, and, if needed, a polygraph test. Additionally, they must speak Spanish or be capable of learning it and meet physical fitness requirements.