Border Patrol celebrates record employment with more than 21K agents on board

The United States Customs and Border Protection hit a milestone Wednesday with a record employment of over 21,000 agents actively protecting the nation's borders.

The CBP said it now employs 21,471 agents, marking the highest staffing level in the Border Patrol’s 102-year history. The agency offers competitive salaries and hiring incentives of up to $60,000 for new Border Patrol agents in eligible locations.

“This record-setting achievement highlights the effectiveness of our recruitment efforts,” Border Patrol Chief Pete Vasquez said in a statement. “We are building a stronger workforce every day, and our progress toward 25,000 agents will further enhance our ability to protect our borders and serve the nation.”

The CBP said the achievement came after it received investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which increased the amount of applications it received and enabled CBP to attract top talent, including veterans and military family members. Border Patrol offers Veterans’ Preference as part of its recruitment efforts.

“Our focus is on bringing in top talent and supporting our agents so they can succeed,” CBP Office of Human Resources Management Assistant Commissioner Andrea Bright said. “Surpassing 21,000 agents is a milestone, but we aren’t stopping here and are committed to growing our workforce and providing the tools and resources needed for CBP’s mission.”

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.