An Overview of Controversial Border Control

The controversy surrounding various immigration policies is a constant source of battle amongst both politicians as well as the American public. Illegal immigration brings out incredibly strong opinions in people, and one of the issues that seems to always take center-stage is border control. One concern would be how illegal immigrants who attempt to come into the United States should be handled. Border patrol agents specialize in dealing with these illegal immigrants who attempt to cross the border. Whether these border patrol agents are paid or volunteer, they have the same common goal: keep illegal immigrants from crossing the United States border and prevent terrorist attacks.

Overview of Application and Job

Applicants who are interested in joining the border patrol must go through an application process that is similar to joining the military. The application can be filled out on the Internet; the individual will then have to be screened and drug tested before entering the border patrol boot camp, or the United States Border Patrol Academy. The job itself will involve tracking the Mexican/American border, looking for illegal immigrants who are trying the enter the United States on foot or by vehicle. Other specializations may be undertaken, depending on the individual, as some may decided to join a special branch of the border patrol.

Uniform and Various Insignia

Insignias are meant to show rank amongst the agents and officials in the border patrol. Their will be a design, usually a star or a number of stars. on the collar of the border patrol uniform, as well as a shoulder patch that consists of a number of stripes; again these depend on the rank. Regular dress uniforms are olive green with a blue stripe running down the pant leg. Ceremonial uniforms are the same, with added accessories such as blue shoulder straps, a blue tie, cuffs, and white gloves. Rough-duty uniforms are olive green cargo pants along with a work shirt, usually in blue or black.

Criticisms of Border Patrol

There are several criticisms of border patrol. One is that it doesn't work, since illegal immigrants still enter the United States in large numbers; statistically about 500,000 illegal immigrants will sneak into the United States each year. The second is that is possibly harmful, as some immigrants have complained of physical abuse suffered at the hands of the border patrol. The third is that border patrol can become corrupted, with the border patrolmen taking bribes in return for allowing illegal immigrants to enter the United States undetected.

NEXT: Protecting Our Borders with Border Patrol