The Pinecreek/Piney Border crossing is located in Roseau County, Minnesota. The township of Pinecreek is unincorporated and sparsely populated. It is home to the Piney Pinecreek Border Airport, which is one of three small airports that feature international runways. The runway at the Piney Pinecreek Border Airport spans the border between Minnesota and Manitoba, and supports a number of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) jobs. The airport serves approximately 250 small planes per month, bringing tourists, hunters and fishermen to the region.
Working at Pinecreek
The Pinecreek/Piney Border Crossing has the distinction of being the least-used border crossing in Minnesota. In general, fewer than 25 vehicles cross the border at Pinecreek/Piney each day. Very little commercial traffic passes through the crossing. As a result, the crossing is only open from 9 am until 5 pm daily for passenger traffic. Freight traffic processing is available at intermittent times during the week, with truckers being advised to contact the port in advance of crossing.
As part of the United States Customs and Border Protection’s Grand Forks Sector, Border Patrol agents at Pinecreek recive formal training and education that prepares them for enforcing immigration and commerce laws at the border crossing. Additionally, they assist in securing the border outside of the crossing. Border patrol jobs at Pinecreek involve working in conjunction with agents at the nearest station in Pembina, North Dakota, to patrol the 102 miles of border that falls under their jurisdiction. The remoteness of the region can leave it particularly vulnerable to criminal activity such as smuggling and human trafficking.
Federal Employment
In recent years, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has increased Border Patrol presence along the northern border. Currently more than 200 agents are employed in the Grand Forks sector. As federal employees, these agents receive salaries and a federal benefits package that includes life insurance, health insurance and a pension plan. Agents may be hired at levels GL-5 to GL-9, depending on their education and experience. Border Patrol job candidates must meet high standards and suitability requirements for federal employment, passing background checks, fitness exams and possibly a polygraph test.