Arizona Migrahack: Becoming a Border Patrol Agent
by
Alex Corey, Keila Vizcarra, Pilar De Haro, Misty Ring-Ramirez
Calvin Ortega Jr, and Helga Salinas
Photo | Yoohyun Jung
Border patrol staffing and spending has increased exponentiallly since 1990.
A 34-year-old Tucson resident, second-generation Mexican-American, is training to become a border patrol agent. Despite the stigma and his background, he believes it will provide more stability than his current job. He wishes to stay anonymous for employment reasons.
Photo | Yoohyun Jung
At the same time that many alternative options may be limited for residents of border counties, the U.S. government has dramatically increased spending on and staffing for Customs and Border Patrol. Source: CBP.gov | Misty Ring-Ramirez
Source: U.S. Census Data | Misty Ring-Ramirez
“For a long, long time, I would drive by the checkpoints and see the hispanic agents and say ‘what are these guys doing,'" the Tucson resident reflects.
For many people living in border counties, this once adverse position of being a border patrol agent has became a desirable career choice. “The main reason is stability. Since 2008, it really doesn't feel secure, especially in the job I did. You always feel vulnerable."
Border Patrol Agents at work. Photo | Flickr User murphyjwoodhouse
Census data from 2009 to 2013 shows that the median Arizona household income is $50,000, below the United States average. As a border patrol agent, the Tucson resident claims that he can make nearly 50% more than his current salary.
Source: U.S. Census Data | Misty Ring-Ramirez
Source: U.S. Census Data | Misty Ring-Ramirez
“I have gotten the impression that there are two types of people,” said our anonymous source in reference to applicants at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection workforce.
“There’s former law enforcement people, those who don’t get paid well, and people who don’t have resources to go college or maybe they never did.”U.S.-Mexico Border | Flickr User murphyjwoodhouse
A little over 25 percent of people have a bachelor's degree in Arizona, which is below the United States average.
“It’s really hard for me to say this, but it's one of the main motivators as someone who hasn’t finished [college]. My earning potential isn’t as high. My options are very limited,” said the source.Source: U.S. Census Data | Misty Ring-RamirezThey see their uncle in uniform as a border patrol agent and most of the parents on their soccer team are also agents.
“‘Wow, that’s great dad.’ I doubt they completely understand. They know it’s a position of authority. They know that my brother-in-law walks around with a handgun very infrequently. They know it’s honorable, respectable,” says the source referring to his children's reactions when he explained his possible career change.
“My wife is a banker. I don’t think she’s ever been as supportive with anything as she has with this,” said our source. “She’s done the cost and benefit analysis. She knows things are going to get better for us. Yeah, I might be gone a lot more but we’ll finish getting out of debt sooner, putting money away for the kid’s school much quicker. She knows it’s a good thing.”
U.S.-Mexico Border | Flickr User murphyjwoodhouse
“I grew up in Nogales Arizona. It was more affordable, but I’ve never lived a day in Mexico, other than when I was born,” says our source.
“In 1987, my parents became U.S. citizens and I became naturalized. Personally, I can see myself doing apprehending.”
U.S.-Mexico Border | Flickr User murphyjwoodhouse
Southwest border patrol staffing from 1992 to 2014. Alex Corey | Source: U.S. Border Patrol