Major Duties

This position supports our mission to serve as the guardians of our Nation's borders.  We are America's front line.  We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond our borders.  We protect the public against terrorists and the instruments of terror.  We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States while fostering our Nation's economic security through lawful international trade and travel.  We serve the American public with vigilance, integrity and professionalism.

One of the most important activities of a Border Patrol Agent is line-watch.  This involves the detection, prevention, and apprehension of undocumented aliens and smugglers of aliens at or near the land border by maintaining surveillance from a covert position, following up leads, responding to electronic sensor alarms, infrared scopes during night operations, low light level television systems, aircraft sightings, and interpreting and following tracks, marks and other physical evidence.  Some of the other major activities are farm and ranch checks, traffic check, traffic observation, city patrol, transportation check, administrative, intelligence, and anti-smuggling activities.