On December 1, the U.S. Border Patrol launched its first ever recruiting effort specifically targeting women.
Buffalo Sector Operations Officer Miki Ahl says women make up only 5% of the Border Patrol workforce, which totals more than 20,000 agents. Ahl says females are needed to diversify the agency, adding Western New York recruits could initially expect to relocated to the southwest border.
"We're looking at females additionally to help us in searching females that are crossing the border illegally," says Ahl, noting "Since 2011, we've had a 173% increase in the females that have been crossing the border. Considering the low number of women that we have, it would be helpful to have an increase to help search and process these women."
Ahl is a 14-year veteran of the Border Patrol currently stationed here in Buffalo.
"I was part of a unit that taught anti-terrorism,' says Ahl, adding "I traveled all over the country. I've been stationed in Washington D.C., in Whitefish, Montana and now Buffalo. I was on the horse patrol in Montana. The sky is the limit, it really is."
Recruits should be between the ages of 18-37, although Ahl notes there are exceptions for veterans. She says you can find more information online at the Customs and Border Patrol website.