Although many of the border crossings and ports of entry in North Dakota are just a fraction of the size of those found along the Southwest border of the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol jobs along the Northern border still play an important role in securing our nation’s borders from everything from terrorists and terrorist weapons to illegal aliens and illegal drugs and narcotics.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the CBP, the law enforcement arm of Homeland Security, is keenly aware of the importance of border safety and security along our nation’s Northern border. Their commitment to the Northern border was emphasized when they announced a new Port of Entry in Portal, North Dakota, in November 2012.
The new Portal, North Dakota, Port of Entry is now equipped with facilities and equipment that serve to strengthen border security and facilitate the movement of legal trade and travel across the border. This newly constructed facility now features three lanes for commercial vehicle processing, a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) enrollment center, and newly improved and expanded public and employee areas.
The Portal Port of Entry processed more than 104,000 incoming cars in 2011 alone, an increase of 15 percent from 2010. More than 105,000 trucks crossed the Portal, North Dakota, Port of Entry in 2012, as well, an increase of 35 percent from the previous year.
Further, the Main Port Building of the Portal, North Dakota, Port of Entry is energy efficient, which is estimated to save about 25 percent each year on electricity and 90 percent in natural gas consumption.
Border Patrol Jobs in Portal, North Dakota
It is expected that a number of CBP professionals may find jobs at the Portal Port of Entry, including CBP Officers, who are charged with accepting entries of merchandise, collecting duties, and enforcing all customs and navigation laws, and Border Patrol Agents, who are likely tasked with identifying, deterring, and apprehending individuals crossing the border illegally or attempting to smuggle weapons, drugs and other contraband into the country.
It can be expected that, to achieve Border Patrol Jobs, individuals must be able to pass rigorous physical fitness tests, as well as a number of background checks. Further, all candidates interested in jobs with the CBP must be able to prove U.S. citizenship and U.S. residency of at least 3 years, and all candidates must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and no domestic violence convictions.
A number of factors may prevent candidates from gaining jobs with the CBP, such as past or present convictions or arrests and financial issues or serious debts.
About Portal, North Dakota
Portal is a small town located in Burke County, North Dakota. As of 2010, the population was just 126. Portal remains a major port of entry for both road and rail traffic. It shares a border with the Saskatchewan, Canada town of North Portal.
Portal, North Dakota, Port of Entry
The Portal Port of Entry is just one of three ports in North Dakota that is open 24 hours a day throughout the year (the others being Dunseith and Pembina). The Portal Port of Entry is part of the Pembina Service Port, the Seattle Field Operations Office, and the Grand Forks Border Patrol Sector.