McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — Calling all retired Border Patrol agents: U.S. Customs and Border Patrol might want you back.
CBP is looking to rehire Border Patrol agents who retired between July 2020 and July 2024 to serve at several Border Patrol sectors in South Texas and throughout the United States, the agency announced this week.
Meanwhile, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is offering $50,000 signing bonuses to new ICE agents.
“Border Patrol retirees have the knowledge and experience we need to address the challenges ahead, and this would provide a unique opportunity to continue their service,” CBP’s Human Resources Management Assistant Commissioner Andrea Bright said.
Border Patrol agents who are rehired would be reemployed annuitants, which means they will still receive retirement annuity.
And CBP is indicating that retirees who return may be able to receive full retirement and full salary at the same time.
“The availability of a salary offset waiver, allowing you to retain your full retirement annuity and full salary while re-employed,” according to the agency’s jobs link.
Generally a reemployed annuitant’s pay is offset by the amount of their retirement annuity, unless a waiver is approved by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, according to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
“CBP may allow a waiver of salary offset, known as a Dual Compensation Waiver, which enables CBP to reemploy Federal Employee Retirement Service and Civil Service Retirement System annuitants on a temporary or time-limited term without a reduction in salary while continuing to receive their full annuity,” CBP said in a statement.
Border Report has asked the Department of Homeland Security if there would be any deductions and if the agents would be eligible for benefits or other retirement saving. This story will be updated if information is received.
Currently CBP is hiring for these positions and here are the links for the jobs:
- Border Patrol Agent (Reemployed Annuitant) GS-1896-13
- Border Patrol Agent (Reemployed Annuitant) GS-1896-12
CBP says they plan to rehire the agents for one to four years on a full-time work schedule. But appointments may be extended “depending on mission need.”
The agency says they also will expedite the pre-employment process and rehired agents will undergo accelerated re-entry training conducted at the sector.
“As a retired Border Patrol Agent, we are calling you back to the frontlines to protect American interest and secure our Nation. Your country needs your expertise, professionalism, and commitment,” the job link says.
The position starts at a salary of $105,383 for GS-13.
Agents are asked to select their preferred location for the following 5 locations:
- Rio Grande Valley Sector – Falfurrias, TX
- Del Rio Sector – Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Comstock, Brackettville, Carrizo Springs, Del Rio, TX
- Laredo Sector – Freer, and Zapata, TX
- Big Bend Sector- Marfa, Presidio, Alpine, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Van Horn and Fort Stockton, TX
- Buffalo Sector – Wellesley Island, NY
- Grand Forks Sector – Bottineau, Pembina, Portal, ND and Grand Marais, Warroad, MN
- Havre Sector – Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass, St. Mary, MT
- Houlton Sector – Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, and Van Buren, ME
- Spokane Sector – Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls and Oroville, WA,
- Swanton Sector – Beecher Falls, Newport, Richford, VT, and Burke, Champlain, NY
ICE offering $50K signing bonuses
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also is offering a recruitment campaign and offering up to $50,000 for signing bonuses for new ICE agents.
A link to ICE jobs can be found here.
“Your country is calling you to serve at ICE. In the wake of the Biden administration’s failed immigration policies, your country needs dedicated men and women of ICE to get the worst of the worst criminals out of our country,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said. “This is a defining moment in our nation’s history. Your skills, your experience, and your courage have never been more essential. Together, we must defend the homeland.”
The campaign was launched this week and it also offers student loan repayment and forgiveness options, as well as:
- 25% Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) for HSI Special Agents
- Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUI) for Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) Deportation Officers
- Enhanced retirement benefits
ICE received nearly $30 billion to hire an additional 10,000 ICE agents in the new budget bill signed by President Trump on July 4. The agency wants to bring its total to 16,000 arresting and deportation officers.
Trump has said he wants to deport up to 1 million immigrants who are illegally in the country every year.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.
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