WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded the busiest four-month recruiting stretch in its 100-year history, receiving 34,650 applications for U.S. Border Patrol agent positions from January through April, the agency announced Tuesday. The total marks a 44% increase over the same period in 2024 and includes the single-month record set in January.
CBP attributed the spike to heightened national attention on border security, targeted hiring incentives and focused outreach to military veterans and current law enforcement officers. The agency described the momentum as an “unprecedented surge” and said it intends to keep recruitment efforts at full throttle to meet operational demands along the Southwest and Northern borders.
“The continued surge in applications speaks volumes about the pride and purpose Americans see in joining the U.S. Border Patrol,” Chief Michael Banks said. “We thank President Trump and Secretary Noem for their leadership and commitment to strengthening our workforce and mission readiness.”
Agency leaders also pointed to what they called renewed public confidence in current enforcement priorities. They said the influx of candidates should help accelerate training pipelines and fill vacancies at remote border stations that have struggled with staffing in recent years.
CBP is the nation’s largest law enforcement organization, with more than 65,000 employees working on land, at sea and in the air. Officials said they will maintain aggressive outreach as securing the border remains “this administration’s top priority.”
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