CBP wants more officers at border
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said they have mission-critical needs in Calexico. They held a career day in El Centro on Friday.
Jorge Soberanes, CBP Supervisor, said, “Now with our port of entry expansion, we’re going to need more officers to fill all the positions that are going to be needed when the second phase is done.”
More than 100 people came out to attend the series of workshops throughout the day at America’s Job Center on North Imperial Avenue.
“We’re looking for people that are interested in joining our American premiere law enforcement agency,” Soberanes said.
The training and incentives include a CBP academy and bonuses for bilingual recruits.
“After you are selected, you pass your application and background, you’ll be sent to the Georgia Academy for 19 weeks where they will teach you everything about the job,” Soberanes said.
Phase Two of the Calexico Port of Entry, once completed, will make the crossing for visitors faster without sacrificing border security, according to Soberanes.
“On the first phase, we created 10 new lanes. For the second phase, we’re going to be adding six more lanes. So, we’re going to have 16 primary lanes on the vehicle side. And on the pedestrian side, we’re going to have 12 lanes to process people. So, basically, we’re going to need more officers,” Soberanes said.
Calexico Council Member Bill Hodge said Phase Two funds have not been released by the government yet.
“We don’t have all the money for Phase Two. We have most of it and what’s going to materialize from most of that money is real positive aspects – construction,” Hodge said.
Local economic growth from the expansion is expected from the job increase, causing a positive economic ripple effect, according to Hodge.
Hodge added that more officers mean managing border crossing traffic more efficiently.
“It’s going to cut our traffic controllers in half. The city’s going to save over a $175,000 a year,” Hodge said.
Anyone interested in CBP job opportunities can visit www.cbp.gov.
