By Police1 Staff
Founded in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stands today as the largest federal law enforcement organization in the United States. With more than 60,000 officers serving in capacities ranging from securing the nation’s borders to protecting the President, the agency offers a variety of attractive career options for those new to law enforcement as well as veteran officers seeking new challenges.
Amid ongoing challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border and evolving global security concerns, two branches within DHS are receiving particular attention: Customs and Border Protection (CPB) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
While both agencies are critical to fulfilling DHS’s mission of protecting the country from various threats, law enforcement officers within each serve vastly different roles. This guide helps potential officers find the right position within CBP and ICE that aligns with their strengths and interests.
Law enforcement jobs with CBP
Broadly speaking, Customs and Border Protection enforces customs and immigration laws at and near the border. According to the agency’s website, “CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. while facilitating lawful international travel and trade.”
Within CBP, there are two main roles for entry-level federal law enforcement professionals: Border Patrol Agent and CBP Officer.
How to become a Border Patrol Agent
Border Patrol Agents secure the nation’s international borders between ports of entry. They detect, prevent, and apprehend undocumented individuals using various techniques and technologies. Border Patrol Agents can join specialized units as their careers progress, such as mounted patrol, bike patrol, K-9 units, off-road vehicle units, rapid response teams, peer support, chaplaincy and honor guard.
Basic requirements for Border Patrol Agent eligibility:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- Reside in the U.S. for at least three of the last five years (exceptions apply for federal government or military employment overseas).
- Be eligible to carry a firearm.
- Be referred for selection before your 40th birthday (waivers available for veterans or those with federal civilian law enforcement experience).
- Be willing to travel.
- Have at least one year of qualifying work experience demonstrating sound judgment and decision-making skills. Relevant roles include personnel management, compliance work, investigations, corrections, security, military, or emergency response. Graduate-level education can also qualify.
From there, the employment process is:
- Submit an application.
- Take an entrance exam (waived for GL-9 applicants with specialized law enforcement experience).
- Pass a background check.
- Complete a medical exam.
- Pass a basic physical fitness test (veterans with recent military fitness tests may receive reciprocity).
- Undergo a scenario-based panel interview.
- Take a polygraph (waived for veterans with active TS/SCI security clearance).
- Pass a random drug test.
The process typically takes six to nine months. Common disqualifiers include illegal drug use and criminal convictions.
New Border Patrol Agents undergo rigorous training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Artesia, New Mexico, which includes approximately 940 hours of instruction (spanning 117 training days). The curriculum covers U.S. law, border patrol operations, physical fitness, firearms proficiency, tactical driving, advanced tactical training, and, where necessary, Spanish language instruction.
How much do Border Patrol Agents make?
As of 2024, entry-level Border Patrol Agents (GL-7 grade) earn an average of $66,654 annually, including locality, overtime and premium pay. Pay increases significantly with promotions; agents at the highest grade (GS-12) earn an average of $104,452 annually.
Find open Border Patrol Agent positions and begin the application process here.
How to become a Customs and Border Protection Officer
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers oversee the 328 ports of entry into the U.S., preventing illegal trafficking of people, narcotics, weapons and contraband. Officers can also join specialized units like the K-9 unit, Special Response Team and Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team.
Eligibility requirements for CBP Officers:
- Similar to Border Patrol Agents, but entry-level CBP Officers (GS-5 grade) have broader qualifying experience or education requirements. Three years of general work experience (including unpaid volunteer work) or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution qualify.
Training requirements for CBP Officers:
- CBP Officer trainees attend an 89-day program at the CBP Field Operations Academy in Glynco, Georgia. Training covers legal and technical requirements, weapons handling, driving techniques, tactical training and practical exercises. If not proficient, officers assigned to the southern border, Miami or Puerto Rico must complete six weeks of Spanish language instruction.
How much do Customs and Border Protection officers make?
Entry-level CBP Officers (GS-5 grade) earn around $45,704 annually, including locality, overtime and night differential pay. Promotions significantly increase earning potential; GS-12 Officers earn an average of $108,699 annually.
Find open positions and begin the application process here.
How to get a law enforcement job with Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Like CBP, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) combats cross-border crime and illegal immigration threatening national security and public safety. However, ICE’s jurisdiction extends throughout the U.S.
ICE offers two primary roles for new law enforcement professionals: Deportation Officer within the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division and Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
How to become an ICE Deportation Officer:
ERO Deportation Officers manage the immigration enforcement process, including identification, arrest, transportation, detention, case management and removal of undocumented individuals.
Eligibility requirements for ICE Deportation Officers:
- U.S. citizenship.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Eligibility to carry a firearm.
- Referred for selection before your 40th birthday (waivers available).
- Selective Service registration (for males born after December 31, 1959).
- No prior law enforcement experience is required for entry-level positions (GS-5 to GS-7), but relevant work experience or education must align with the job grade.
Application process for ICE Deportation Officers:
- Submit an application.
- Complete a panel interview with ICE personnel.
- Pass a drug test.
- Complete a three-part fitness test.
- Undergo a medical exam.
- Pass a background check (averaging three months).
- Take a polygraph (if required by the background investigation).
The hiring process can take up to 52 weeks or longer.
Training requirements for ICE Deportation Officers:
New ICE Deportation Officers complete a five-week Spanish language program and the 16-week ERO Basic Immigration Law Enforcement Training Program in Georgia. Find open positions and begin the application process here.
How to become a Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents investigate transnational crime, targeting individuals, money and materials supporting illegal organizations. Their work includes drug smuggling, human trafficking, child exploitation, illegal arms export and counterintelligence. HSI Special Agents often collaborate with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and other national security entities.
While the basic eligibility requirements are largely the same as for ICE deportation officers, there is one notable difference: Applicants must be referred for selection by the day preceding their 37th birthday (though again, this restriction may not apply if you’re a preference-eligible veteran or have served in another federal civilian law enforcement position).
The most competitive applicants for these elite positions have also completed at least a bachelor’s degree in one of the agency’s desired disciplines, including criminal justice, finance, accounting, foreign languages and computer science. They generally have at least three years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement and criminal investigations as well.
The application process to become an HSI Special Agent is more rigorous:
- Submit a resume during an open special agent vacancy announcement via the USA Jobs website.
- Some applicants will also be required to complete an occupational questionnaire to determine whether their experience and education meet the minimum requirements.
- Complete and pass two additional phases of assessments, which include a situational judgment exam and writing skills test, among others.
- The rest of the process is similar to that of other ICE law enforcement positions, including an interview, drug test, medical exam, background check and polygraph exam for certain applicants.
Training requirements for HSI Special Agents:
Once hired, new HSI Special Agents must complete a 22-week training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia. This includes the 12-week Criminal Investigator Training Program and the 15-week HSI Special Agent Training (HSISAT) follow-on. HSISAT provides extensive training in criminal and immigration law, surveillance and undercover operations, firearms training, court case development and physical fitness.
How much do law enforcement professionals with ICE make?
As with CBP positions, ICE officers and special agents are offered base salaries that correspond to their qualifying grade level. They also receive locality and overtime pay (up to an additional 25%). While the ICE careers website does not break this down as thoroughly as CBP does (see above), the federal GS pay tables, available via the Office of Personnel Management website, can give you a better idea of specific figures.
Entry-level ICE Officers usually begin at the GS-5 level, while HSI Special Agents are usually offered at GL-7-9.
Find more information and apply here.
Final note
No matter which position you choose within either agency, you can feel confident that your career will make a positive difference at a time our nation needs it most. Good luck!
NEXT: In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with Sheriff Mark Dannels, a 40-year veteran of law enforcement, who has served as the 26th Cochise County (Ariz.) Sheriff since November 2012. The department is located at the southernmost tip of the U.S. at the intersection border with New Mexico on the Mexico border, where deputies patrol in extremely rural areas. Discussion points in this episode include staffing, funding, border-related crime and drug interdiction.
This article, originally published on August 11, 2017, has been updated.