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Return to Article: Border Patrol looks to hire more women, minorities

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  I am an Asian American woman who speaks 3 languages. I am a long distance marathon runner with 2 collge degrees. I am 50 years old, who is in excellent shape. Do I qualify for the exam?

  myung hee ontell Posted February 16, 2009 3:16 PM
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  i am a 40 year old black women that looks in her 20's and is very physically fit but i am being denied because of my age i will be 41 this may 2009, i would like to be reconsider i do feel i am a very qualified candidate

  myra kelley Posted January 19, 2009 7:03 PM
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  As a female agent myself, I encourage females to challege themselves to better themselves by applying for these positions available in law enforcement. Ignorance will always be out there regarding what and what not a women is capable of doing. I know what I can do and so do my co-workers. Respect from your co-workers is what matter, when you do have it you will be referred as an agent, not a female agent. And as to the ignorant responses to only hiring certain race ethics, don't read and interpet too much into it. Border Patrol encourages all to apply, but unfornately not all races apply, so border patrol reachs out in different ways to all groups. If you don't apply you have no say. If you did not get in, it's not because of your color, it just means you need to study the study guide a little bit more, just like those of us that did pass. And as too lowering the test standards, well Border Patrol is clear "we want qualified people!" all else need not apply.

  Lala Posted November 20, 2008 8:38 PM
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  Firt off the written exam is bogus no wonder you cant get agents. I was in the military for 12 years yes there should be testing but that test naww rethink the test and more people will be eligable

  Harold Helton Posted June 15, 2008 3:54 AM
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  Man, you guys are harsh on women and minorities, i'm a blk college student yea you might have minorities of hispanic descent but there are not that many blk and other groups of minorities. smart guy

  Byron Posted September 19, 2007 9:22 PM
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  I am a female BPA and take offense to the comment about women not being able to do the job. Vick . . . I know I am a little late here . . . but just found this article and wanted to let you know that I have been an agent for 5 years and have never had a problem catching groups/dope and working alone in the high desert where my station is located. Granted this job isn't for every female, but there are many of us who can and do do the job!!

  Amy Posted July 6, 2007 7:41 PM
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  Whatever happened to hiring the best qualified applicants for these important jobs? Also, isn't the Border Patrol already overwhelmingly composed of minorities (e.g., Hispanics)?

  ICE Posted July 3, 2007 11:40 AM
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  In my opinion,those who know what goes on at our borders know very well that if you put a woman by herself up in the hills,terrain, and so forth,and knowing that when they come across illegal foreigners,by the way there in a bunch,they dont stand a chance,you might as well put the nail in the coffin. They might work better in administrative work, that i'll stand by on.

  vick Posted June 30, 2007 2:57 AM
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  Recruit whoever the hell you like; only hire those qualified without dumbing down the requirements.

  a taxpayer and a federal worker Posted June 28, 2007 3:07 PM
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  As a gov't employee of over 20 years I see we're off to our usual start. In order to recruit minorities the gov't is sponsoring a NASCAR vehicle? How many minorities will ever see that car? And will it sport the awe inspiring confederate flag that is so popular with NASCAR? Why don't they sponsor a bull at a rodeo? I bet there's a lot of recruitment opportunities there too.

  Jay Posted June 28, 2007 1:30 PM
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  Knowing the people in Customs and Border Protection who are performing the outreach activities, I have no doubt that they will be successful in recruiting more minority and women for careers as Border Patrol Agents. Being successful at recruitment outreach requires recruiters who know their communities and have connections with relevant educational institutions and commununity groups, and have an interest and skill in getting out into the community and connecting with people as role models, especially young people, and inspiring them. There is no subsitute for this in a successful recuitment program. Successful outreach recruitment cannot be done alone from offices in Washington, D.C.; it cannot be done successfully by recruiters who do not know their communities; and it cannot be done successfully by recruiters who do not understand young people, especially those in large urban communities, and how to communicate with them.

  Nick Posted June 28, 2007 11:23 AM
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  Jeff, Get Over it. Attempting to have a workforce representative of the population is not discriminating against you. Its funny how discrimination in your favor does not boil your blood but the thought that efforts might be made to encourage applications from someone who does not look like you causes your hair to raise. The article said the standards remain the same.

  And lest we forgot you were on both sides of the war you supposedly fought for others so unselfishly and Blacks were dying too.

  You will always have a place in this country, you will not be at the top by yourself anymore so move over....there's enough room for all of us.

  Alicia Posted June 28, 2007 9:25 AM
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  This is horrible way to recruit. Unfortunately they need folks who are proficient in Spanish able to run and wrestle illegals to the ground. This aint a job for women

  dan ketter Posted June 28, 2007 9:21 AM
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  What steps are being taken to recriut the candidates? Are you going to the schools, colleges and universities? How does an interested candidate apply for these jobs? Their is little (next to none) or no publications in the areas/locations that need to be aware of the positions. Put the word out there and I have every confidence that you will get a response.

  Rayetta Morton Posted June 28, 2007 7:44 AM
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  This story should have read "WHITE MEN NEED NOT APPLY!" I am sure that Martin Luther King's dream did not include selection of jobs based upon an applicant's race. But hey, it's OK to discriminate against white males, because after all, when their white great grandfathers where fighting at Gettysburg to defeat the South and defeat those who supported slavery, they should have known they were going to be blamed for somehow contributing to discrimination against the slaves they were fighting and dieing to free.

  Jeff Posted June 28, 2007 2:06 AM