see also: in January 2008:   Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism: A Year in Review   CBP, National Guard Announce Super Bowl Flight Restrictions   Cooperation Leads to Apprehension of International Fugitive   Border Patrol Seizes $109,944 Stashed in Vehicle   CBP Arrests Fugitive Arriving from Dominican into Puerto Rico   CBP and ICE Donate Thousands of Shoes to Charity   Operation Uniforce 8 ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Washington – The Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Border Patrol, in conjunction with CBP’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and CBP Human Resource Management, has begun an aggressive recruiting campaign across the Southeastern United States looking for qualified African American candidates. This unprecedented recruitment effort is part of President Bush’s announcement in 2006 to enhance border security by hiring 6,000 new Border Patrol agents by the end of 2008.

This is the first time in the Border Patrols history that it has been able to put together a recruitment team comprised entirely of African American Border Patrol agents. Members of this ground-breaking team will be in the Southeastern United States in January and February sharing their experiences while stationed in various regions of the border, as well as discussing opportunities and qualifications for the Border Patrol agent position.

They will be looking for candidates who can successfully undergo a rigorous screening process, which includes a written examination, structured interview, foreign language proficiency test, drug testing, medical examination and physical fitness test, along with completing a favorable background investigation.

Initial salaries for Border Patrol agents are competitive, starting above $35,000, reaching $70,000 within three years of service. Border Patrol agents also receive a generous benefits package including health and retirement benefits, in addition to substantial overtime earnings.

The focus of the recruitment campaign is to address and dispel the common misconceptions that the African American community may have about becoming an agent, as well as to increase the percentage of minorities in the Border Patrol. Currently, the Border Patrol has less than 1.5 percent African Americans within its ranks, as opposed to the Common Labor Force, which has more than 10 percent.

"The Southeastern United States is a candidate-rich environment that we feel will lend to an increase in qualified applicants who are interested in protecting our nation’s borders. This is a great opportunity for the African American community to play a vital part in protecting the homeland as well as bettering their communities," said Minority Recruitment Strike Team Leader, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Michael E. Douglas.

Border Patrol Recruitment Teams will commence their recruitment efforts on the 21st of January in North Carolina and South Carolina. From there, they will visit the following:

States	Dates
Missouri and Arkansas	February 4-9
Alabama and Georgia	February 25-March 1
Louisiana and Mississippi	March 17-26
Kentucky and Tennessee	April 7-12
Virginia and Maryland	April 28-May 3

Media entities wishing to interview members from the Minority Recruitment Team may schedule through CBP’s public affairs office at: (202) 344-1500.

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.