The U.S. Border Patrol is looking to fill more than 2,000 positions nationwide.  A job fair was held in Dania Beach, Florida over the weekend in an effort to attract applicants in Florida.  A larger turnout than expected yielded several hundred potential applicants, with many lining up before doors opened as early as 5:30 AM.

Elee Erice, the public affairs specialist for the Border Patrol said, “We didn’t expect this much of a turnout I mean we thought for sure it would be a good turnout.  But we didn’t expect this much and it’s been going on since 5:30 this morning.”

The U.S. Border Patrol, which employs some 20,000 agents, is a federal law enforcement agency, part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  It is primarily responsible for immigration and border law enforcement, as well as preventing terrorists and illegal weapons from crossing into the United States, and deterring illegal aliens from entering the U.S. in areas other than designated ports of entry.

The Border Patrol jobs pay well, with some salaries starting as high as $63,000.  A rigirous application process, which includes a thorough background check, a written exam, medical/drug screenings, fitness tests, and an oral hiring board interview, cull the applicant pool to better meet the stringent demands of the US Border Patrol.