Does Border Patrol do background checks?

Asked by: Kris McClure III  |  Last update: July 14, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (32 votes)

Every person hired for a job with CBP must submit to the federal employment background check process to make sure you are reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and have complete and unswerving loyalty to the United States.

What can disqualify you from border patrol?

You may be disqualified if your background includes:
  • Use of illegal drugs and/or the sale distribution of illegal drugs.
  • Convictions, including misdemeanor domestic violence charges.
  • International harboring or concealment of undocumented noncitizens.

What disqualifies you from a federal background check?

INTERIM DISQUALIFYING CRIMINAL OFFENSES

Extortion. Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud and money laundering, where the money laundering is related to a crime listed in Parts A or B (except welfare fraud and passing bad checks). Bribery. Smuggling.

What causes a red flag on a background check?

A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.

How long is the background investigation for Border Patrol?

It takes 1 to 12 months, depending on 30 different variables. Location governs most of those variables. Most of that time, your file is in a drawer waiting for an available investigator. Once it gets assigned to someone, expect to be called within 24 hrs.

Border Patrol Hiring Process- (Background Investigation)

32 related questions found

Does Border Patrol run background checks?

Instead of conducting large-scale background checks at border control, agents will usually rely on a basic arrest warrant search. This process often involves consulting the National Crime Information Center, or NCIC. Border Patrol also has access to the counterpart system for Canadian nationals.

What does an E-QIP background check look at?

The questionnaire has three main sections: personal information, employment history, and education history. In the personal information section, you will be asked to provide your full name, address, date of birth, and other essential information.

What looks bad on a background check?

Warning signs on a background check include multiple periods of unexplained unemployment, inconsistent information, short periods of employment, minimal relevant job experience, no required education or training, professional license issues, dangerous criminal convictions, job-related criminal convictions, bad ...

How do you know if you fail a background check?

You can determine whether you failed an employee background check if you have any of the following seven disqualifying factors:
  1. Inconsistent employment history. ...
  2. Inaccurate resume information. ...
  3. A criminal history. ...
  4. Negative reviews from employers. ...
  5. Poor driving record. ...
  6. A failed drug or alcohol test. ...
  7. Poor credit history.

What is the orange flag on a background check?

Orange not a Red Flag? A bad reference is not always a red flag, requiring immediate rejection, but it is often an orange flag deserving investigation. For example, the most common reason that people are fired is for poor performance/not meeting targets after employee evaluation.

How far back do federal background checks go?

In states like California, criminal background checks go back seven years. However, some states allow a deeper look into your past if the job pays a higher salary (usually over $75,000). Some government jobs or jobs with access to sensitive information may allow - even require - background checks further.

Can felons get federal jobs?

People with criminal records are eligible for employment in the vast majority of federal jobs. For a few positions, they may not be eligible because specific laws or statutes prohibit employment, depending on the crime committed.

What is a disqualifying felony?

"Disqualifying offense" means a conviction for: Any offense that is a felony; a sex offense as defined in this section; a crime against children or persons as defined in RCW 43.43.

Is it hard to get hired by Border Patrol?

Especially that the position is highly competitive, applicants must strictly comply with all requirements; i.e., from filling out online forms to submitting the necessary documents. After successfully completing the screening requirements, including proficiency and physical tests, they must ace the panel interview.

Can felons be Border Patrol agents?

Since CBP is a federal agency the requirements are the same for any position in any state. With a criminal record, there is very little chance that you will get hired unless your crime is an old low level misdemeanor.

Does Border Patrol check your credit?

The background investigation will include credit and criminal history checks, records checks to verify citizenship of members, verification of date of birth, education, employment history, and military history.

How do I make sure I pass a background check?

Best Practices for Passing a Background Check
  1. Don't lie about your name. Many background checks are name-based—though some employers use fingerprint or Social Security Number checks for more precise results. ...
  2. Get your story straight. ...
  3. Run a background check on yourself. ...
  4. Consider expungement.

Can I see if someone did a background check on me?

From criminal history screenings to sex offender registry searches, you'll only know if the checks are for employment or housing purposes. If the intended use case doesn't require your consent, you usually won't know if someone checked your record.

What qualifies as passing a background check?

If you were found not guilty, no-billed, or had the case dismissed, you'll still pass the background check. Also, depending on the requirements, the type of offense and time since conviction would be a factor.

What are the disqualifying offenses for background checks?

A conviction for a serious offense, such as fraud, theft, violence, or drug-related crimes, may raise questions about an individual's reliability, trustworthiness, and potential risks to the workplace (especially workplace safety), ultimately resulting in disqualification from the hiring process.

What would cause a red flag on a background check?

Some of the most common types of red flags include: The presence of one or more misdemeanor or felony criminal records. Discrepancies between reported employment experience and verified work history. Falsely claiming possession of professional or technical licenses.

Is it hard to pass a federal background check?

Discrepancies in your employment or education history, major financial problems, or even lying on your application can trigger a failed check. For jobs requiring security clearance, a history of drug use, financial instability, or even risky personal relationships can raise red flags.

What is e-QIP border patrol?

Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) The Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP), one of the many steps in CBP's hiring process, is the federal government's digital portal used to gather information to conduct background investigations.

How long does cbp background investigation take?

BI can take a short time or a long time, depending on your own history. Mine cleared in 3 months, I've heard people who have deeper backgrounds that took 1.5 years to clear just that part.

What does a doj background check show?

The results of a background check from the Department of Justice typically include credit history, past employment verification, and criminal history.