The responsibility for keeping Wisconsin’s international borders safe falls on the shoulders of the men and women who work in the Customs and Border Protection Unit’s (CBP) Grand Forks Sector, under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The diversity of Wisconsin’s geography presents many unique challenges for those holding border patrol jobs in Wisconsin. Its coastline with Lake Michigan could provide easy access to the United States for illegal aliens, criminals and terrorists if not properly guarded by Border Patrol Agents.
As the state of Wisconsin is patrolled by Border Patrol Agents in the Grand Forks Sector, the following is crime data provided by the CBP for that sector for fiscal year 2011:
- 468 apprehensions
- 0.02 pounds of marijuana seized
- One assault
Border Crossings in Wisconsin
Ports of Entry in Wisconsin include:
- Racine
- Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Facility
- Green Bay
- Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Facility
- Milwaukee Service Port
- Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Facility
Border Patrol Requirements and Job Titles in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Northern Highland, Western Upland, Central Plain and shoreline with Lake Michigan provides unique opportunities for those who wish to enter into border patrol in the state. Jobs within Wisconsin are available for Border Patrol Agents and the following:
Agriculture Specialist: All of Wisconsin’s Ports of Entry also house Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Facilities. The job of the Agriculture Specialist is vital to protecting the health and welfare of Americans, as this professional must inspect all produce entering the U.S. and make sure it is legal for entry, as well as ensuring that it does not carry pests or smuggled illegal items. Requirements necessary before applying for this position include:
- Be a US Citizen
- Possess a bachelor’s degree with a major in biological sciences , OR
- Have a combination of education and experience that includes a minimum of 24 semester hours of education in the biological sciences
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Pass a background investigation
- Pass initial and random drug tests
- Pass a medical examination
- If hired, complete 12 weeks of training in Maryland at the Professional Development Center
CBP Officer: The CBP Officer has managerial and supervisory duties in addition to regular Border Patrol Agent responsibilities. Requirements for this position include:
- Be a US citizen
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Be under age 37 when applying
- Pass a background investigation
- Pass initial and random drug tests
- Pass a medical examination
- Pass physical fitness tests
- Pass a lie detector test
- If hired, complete four weeks of training at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick, GA, along with an additional 18 weeks of law enforcement skills training at the same training center