Students find out what the Border Patrol is about
By: Alex Ulibarri
Issue date: 10/5/09 Section: News
On Thursday, Oct. 1, Robert Shilaikis of the Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, gave a presentation to Eastern New Mexico University students titled "History, Nationality and Immigration Law, Applied Authority and Hispanic Numbers", a presentation detailing the United States Border Patrol, what it does, how to get in, and some of their rules and regulations.
Shilaikis gave some history about the Border Patrol's existence since 1924, and how they came to be. Shilaikis mentioned that prior to 1924, there had been an unofficial group of men who would patrol the border to prohibit the illegal sale of alcohol. That force was largely unorganized, and run on a volunteer basis. Today, it is a highly cohesive organization with many responsibilities.
According to Shilaikis, the Border Patrol Academy is one of the toughest law enforcement academies in the entire nation. In addition to being in tip top physical shape, students at the academy must be proficient in firearms usage, as well as able to understand Spanish, and know immigration law.
There is a high rate of attrition at the academy, meaning not many students will end up passing all the rigorous training. Shilaikis also spoke about the constant struggle that field agents face with the temptation they occasionally get from drug smugglers. Sometimes, an agent will confront a smuggler who offers them a very large sum of money in exchange for the agent turning the other cheek, and letting them go free. "Integrity is number one. They have a huge weight on their shoulders of responsibilities to secure the area between the ports," Shilaikis said.
Protection of the country from terrorists is now a key concern of both the American people and their government. Since 9/11, Shilaikis says that the Border Patrol has seen an added amount of responsibilities. "That's one of their missions. Their key requirement is to look for terrorists and weapons of mass destruction, so that's number one," Shiliaikis said.
Shilaikis gave some history about the Border Patrol's existence since 1924, and how they came to be. Shilaikis mentioned that prior to 1924, there had been an unofficial group of men who would patrol the border to prohibit the illegal sale of alcohol. That force was largely unorganized, and run on a volunteer basis. Today, it is a highly cohesive organization with many responsibilities.
According to Shilaikis, the Border Patrol Academy is one of the toughest law enforcement academies in the entire nation. In addition to being in tip top physical shape, students at the academy must be proficient in firearms usage, as well as able to understand Spanish, and know immigration law.
There is a high rate of attrition at the academy, meaning not many students will end up passing all the rigorous training. Shilaikis also spoke about the constant struggle that field agents face with the temptation they occasionally get from drug smugglers. Sometimes, an agent will confront a smuggler who offers them a very large sum of money in exchange for the agent turning the other cheek, and letting them go free. "Integrity is number one. They have a huge weight on their shoulders of responsibilities to secure the area between the ports," Shilaikis said.
Protection of the country from terrorists is now a key concern of both the American people and their government. Since 9/11, Shilaikis says that the Border Patrol has seen an added amount of responsibilities. "That's one of their missions. Their key requirement is to look for terrorists and weapons of mass destruction, so that's number one," Shiliaikis said.