Immediately upon entering on duty, all new Border Patrol Agents are sent to the Border Patrol Academy to complete a 19-week residential basic training program. This program is academically and physically challenging and designed to prepare them for their initial assignment to duty stations along the southwest border of the United States and Mexico. The course of study includes immigration and nationality law, criminal law, statutory authority, Spanish, firearms, driver training, physical techniques, and Border Patrol operations. Upon graduation from the Border Patrol Academy and return to their duty post, trainee agents will also be required to participate in a six-month Post Academy training program. Aliens being detained and escorted represent a wide variety of individuals from countries all around the world who are subject to exclusion and deportation proceedings.
Competition is required to move to higher grade levels.
The Detention Enforcement Officer basic training course is a 9-week residential program and includes instruction in both academics and physical training. The IIO provides information about immigration and nationality law and regulations. They assist with information necessary to complete required forms and explain the administrative procedures and normal processing times for each application. These positions are located throughout the Service, i.e., Districts, Suboffices, and Service Centers. Competition is required to move to higher grade levels.