Border patrol jobs in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas Sector carry quite a large responsibility. Border Patrol Agents in this sector must patrol 17,000 square miles of Southeast Texas, including 250 coastal miles, 320 river miles, and land in the counties of Lavaca, Cameron, Jackson, Willacy, Dewitt, Hidalgo, Victoria, Starr, Goliad, Brooks, Calhoun, Kennedy, Refugio, Kleberg, Bee, Nueces, Jim Wells and San Patricio.
Within the past few years, staffing at the Rio Grande Valley Sector of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has increased by 40 percent. Apprehensions of illegal aliens trying to gain entrance to the U.S. have likewise increased, as there are now more agents to catch them as well as better surveillance technology.
Border Crimes in Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Crimes in the Rio Grande Valley Sector reported by the CBP for Fiscal Year 2011 include:
- Apprehensions: 59,243
- Marijuana Seized: 1,021,841.60 pounds
- Cocaine Seized: 3163.79 pounds
- Assaults: 108
- Rescues: 238
- Deaths: 66
Border Crossings in Rio Grande Valley, Texas
There are nine border crossing stations within the Rio Grande Valley Sector, listed below:
- Weslaco
- Brownsville
- Rio Grande City Station
- Corpus Christi Station
- McAllen Station
- Falfurrias Station
- Kingsville Station
- Fort Brown Station
- Harlingen Station
Border Patrol Requirements and Job Titles in Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Just over 2500 Border Patrol Agents worked in the Rio Grande Valley Sector in Fiscal Year 2011. While Border Patrol Agents represent the “boots on the ground” manpower responsible for many of the apprehensions and seizures in the sector, there are other job titles necessary to help keep the Rio Grande Valley Sector safe and secure, including:
Border Patrol Agents Assigned to the Public Affairs Office (PAO): The Public Affairs Office (PAO) of the Rio Grande Valley Sector is the public liaison with local, state and national media. Agents who are assigned to the PAO must have a thorough knowledge of all aspects of the position, as well as extensive knowledge of computer programs and a professional appearance. Technical training is also required, including editing software, video equipment and mass media production equipment. These agents may have to conduct operational tours of the sector to visiting foreign dignitaries. The primary job of the Border Patrol Agent in the PAO is to keep the public well informed and to communicate the dangers of trying to illegally enter the U.S.
Senior Training Officer, Rio Grande Valley Sector Training Unit: This unit provides post-academy training to sector Border Patrol Agents, teaching them specialized information particular to Rio Grande Valley Sector apprehensions, seizures etc. While requirements are not posted for this position, as it involves familiarity with the Border Patrol Agent job in the sector it stands to reason that one must have some experience performing this job before applying for a Senior Training Officer position.