Border patrol jobs in New Mexico are crucial to ensuring the safety of the United States’ borders. The El Paso Sector controlled by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is responsible for securing the international border with Mexico and covering the rest of the state of New Mexico.
At the time of its establishment in 1924, Border Patrol Agents in New Mexico had to deal mainly with attempts at liquor smuggling across the border from Mexico. Today, agents within the El Paso Sector patrol 268 miles of international border between New Mexico and Mexico, to keep the residents of New Mexico and the United States safe from possible terrorist activities as well as keeping illegal persons and goods from reaching the country.
The CBP reported the following border crimes in the El Paso Sector (including the entire state of New Mexico) for Fiscal Year 2011:
- 10,345 apprehensions of persons
- 43,667.19 pounds of marijuana seized
- 115.56 pounds of cocaine seized
- 37 assaults
- 20 rescues
- 6 deaths
Border Patrol Requirements and Job Titles in New Mexico
The state of Mexico offers many opportunities for persons interested in careers in border patrol. They include, but are not limited to:
Border Patrol Agent – These professionals are responsible for detecting and preventing terrorist activities, smuggling and illegal border crossings. They may apprehend those who violate immigration laws of the U.S. Job requirements include:
- U.S. citizenship
- Under age 40
- Valid driver’s license
- Pass background check
- Pass medical exam
- Pass fitness test
- Pass drug test
- Pass physical fitness test
Mission Support Assistant, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement – This position is vital to the operations of the CBP, and provides administrative support for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in New Mexico. In addition to performing office and clerical work, this professional must maintain records, databases, track transactions, compile data, and perform other duties as required. Job requirements include:
- US Citizenship
- Pass background check
- Pass drug test
- Have either:
- One year of specialized experience in the above-mentioned duties, OR
- A bachelor’s degree in any field, OR
- A combination of experience and education, with one year of academic study equal to six months of experience
- Type 40 wpm
Border Crossings in New Mexico
There are three Ports of Entry in New Mexico:
- Albuquerque User-Fee Airport: users here are charged a fee to use CBP services
- Columbus: port of entry featuring the following facilities:
- Columbus Cargo
- Santa Teresa Vehicle Exports
- Santa Teresa: port of entry featuring the following facilities:
- Santa Teresa Commercial Operations
- Santa Teresa Airport- Customs
- Santa Teresa Vehicle Exports
Border patrol stations within the El Paso Sector located in New Mexico include:
- Albuquerque Station
- Alamogordo Station
- Truth or Consequences Station
- Deming Station
- Santa Teresa Station
- Lordsburg Station
- Las Cruces Station
Click here to learn how to become a border patrol agent in New Mexico.