Whether working with a dog to sniff out
contraband brought back
from an overseas vacation…
or checking out the cargo hold
of an ocean-going freighter,
immigration and customs inspectors
help to protect the public from
criminal activity—
and dangerous germs and pests.
Whenever the country’s borders are crossed,
immigration and customs inspectors
enforce laws about the people
and goods that are allowed in…
or out of… the United States.
These inspectors work for the
U.S. Customs Service,
a division of the federal government.
Their job is to inspect cargo on boats, trains,
and planes, that enter or leave the country,
and to investigate the baggage
and personal items
carried by people traveling
over national borders.
They also review travelers’ passports
and immigration applications to determine
eligibility for entering, or residing
in the United States.
Customs inspectors carry the authority of law.
In their efforts to enforce regulations,
they search for illegal substances
such as drugs,
and can seize prohibited or smuggled articles,
and apprehend, search, and arrest people
who violate U.S. laws.
To become a customs inspector,
you must be a U.S. citizen,
pass a drug screening test,
and pass a civil service examination.
Most people in the field have
an associate’s degree,
or vocational school training.
Knowledge of a foreign language
may improve your chances of being hired.