see also: in February 2009:   CBP Officers in Niagara Falls Arrest Fugitive Wanted on Drug Charges   CBP Discovers Illegal Aliens Hidden in Vehicle's Water Tank, Speaker Box   Border Patrol Nets 68 Pounds of Cocaine in Latest Seizure   CBP Officers Seize More than $665,000 in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry   CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham Retires   El Paso Area CBP Officers Apprehend Louisiana Suspect Wanted for Attempted Murder and 39 Other Fugitives   Trusted Traveler Participant in New York Arrested with Child Pornography ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Aguadilla, P.R. – The U.S. Border Patrol Ramey Sector Headquarters hosted its’ first Citizen’s Academy on Wednesday, February 11.

The Citizen’s Academy is a program designed to educate the public about the Border Patrol’s history, mission, and its’ future goals. It also informs the community members that Border Patrol operations are designed to serve its community and surrounding area. The Citizen’s Academy is open to all citizens, 18 years of age and above.

	Participants gather at the first Citizen's Academy in Puerto Rico's Ramey sector.

With the participation of 12 community members, the Citizens Academy kicked off last Wednesday and will convene every Wednesday evening for the next four weeks. The group is composed of municipal government representatives, housewives, medical doctors and various potential Border Patrol recruits.

Ramey Border Patrol agents provide instructional and hands on information regarding the ins and outs of the federal agency. Topics to be covered are prosecutions, Border Patrol history, emergency response, K-9 inspections, special operations, search and rescue, and an equipment showcase, among others.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.