Border Crisis: CBP offers bonus of up to $20k to recruit new agents

The agency explained that it is facing "unprecedented" hiring challenges, especially for work in certain areas of the country.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has decided to increase the amount of cash it will pay as an incentive to new agents in an effort to recruit more people to work in high-need Border Patrol positions.

CBP explained that they had to make a massive increase in initial offers because the agency is addressing "unprecedented" hiring challenges at a time when illegal migration has become a critical issue nationwide.

"To address the unprecedented hiring and recruiting challenges for law enforcement agencies, we are offering a $10,000 recruitment incentive for all newly appointed Border Patrol agents who successfully complete the academy and another $10,000 if the agent completes two years at a designated remote location" reported CBP in a statement.

High-need locations include several areas in Texas such as Sierra Blanca, Presidio, Sanderson, Comstock, Freer and Hebbronville, as well as Lordsburg in New Mexico and Ajo in Arizona.

CBP indicated that, to be eligible for the positions, new agents must agree to the terms of the agreement and requirements that include: being a U.S. citizen, having a valid driver's license, and being eligible to carry firearms.

"Border Patrol Agents enforce immigration laws and detect, interdict and apprehend those who attempt to illegally enter or smuggle people or contraband across U.S. borders between official ports of entry.  This includes preventing the entry of terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States between ports of entry. Typical assignments include patrolling international land borders and coastal waters and responding to aircraft sightings and other anti-smuggling activities" stated the border protection office.

Increase in illegal immigration

Since the election of Joe Biden, illegal immigration figures have been dire; illegal immigration arrests have exceeded 150,000 per month for 23 consecutive months and according to data provided by the CBP, during the first month of this year alone it is estimated that at least 156,274 people entered the country illegally. In addition to those figures are the nearly 60,000 illegal aliens who have managed to elude the agents and are still unaccounted for.