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Border Patrol agent Frederick Mangona, an Army veteran, considers his move to Corpus Christi, Texas somewhat of a culture shock for him and his family. Assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol's Rio Grande Valley Section, Agent Mangona expressed his preference to the relaxed lifestyle of the coastal city compared to that of a larger metropolitan area, noting that, "Being so close to Mexico, the culture is very much influenced by Mexican culture."

Currently, US Border Patrol efforts are being supported and supplemented by 6,000 National Guard troops. To offset this support, the Border Patrol's goal for 2008 is to place 6,000 new agents, agents like Frederick Mangona, which would bring the agency force to a total nearing 18,000.

National security became coupled with US border security following 9/11, with special emphasis on preventing suspected terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States. New laws are being considered that will affect guest worker programs and Border Patrol enforcement. These factors have pushed for intense Border Patrol recruitment, offering those leaving military service an historic opportunity to enter federal law enforcement.

Frederick Mangona is an excellent example of a military serviceman who saw, and took, this opportunity to continue serving his country with the U.S. Border Patrol.

A native of the Philippines, Mangona joined the Army in 1992 and served with mechanized infantry units during his tour of duty. After his discharge, he pursued and attained a degree in criminal justice. He also took his permanent resident alien status to the next step, becoming a U.S. citizen, which is a requirement for all Border Patrol agent applicants.

Mangona, who learned Spanish at the Border Patrol Academy, commented, "I encountered a Border Patrol agent in 2001 and was impressed by her professionalism - and the ability to speak Spanish."
The southwest border of the U.S., including the areas of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, constitute the enforcement zone where every new Border Patrol agent begins their duty assignment.

To ensure new agents are well equipped to handle enforcement duties in locations where Spanish may be the common language spoken by potential and real suspects, the Border Patrol Academy dedicates a large part of their 17-week course to Spanish-language training. Spanish proficiency is not a prerequisite to joining the Border Patrol, but the Academy assures that agents leaving the Artesia, N.M. training center are proficient in Spanish - an invaluable tool in their upcoming duties.

Following the devastating terrorist attacks of 9/11, the Border Patrol became part of a reorganization of federal security agencies and was placed under the auspices of the U.S. Customs & Border Protection agency within the Department of Homeland Security.

This change also prioritized preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering this country. U.S. Border Patrol agents now added this tremendous security response to their traditional security duties of preventing illegal aliens and illegal contraband/drugs from entering the U.S.

Border Patrol spokesman, Todd Fraser, states, "We have to be not only more vigilant, we have to look for more things. We have to be concerned with trucks carrying a lot of fertilizer or individuals carrying lab equipment." He continues, underlining the differences, "Before, we wouldn't have second-guessed it. Now, we have to second-guess it."

The greatest effort of the Border Patrol agents is still preventing the illegal entry of people and drugs into the U.S. This is reflected in impressive facts, such as; in 2006, 1.3 million pounds of marijuana and 13,000 pounds of cocaine were seized through the vigilance of the Border Patrol. Additionally, in fiscal 2006, over 1 million illegal aliens were prevented from entering this country through the enforcement efforts of the Border Patrol. Currently, the Border Patrol's busiest area is the Tucson Sector in Arizona.

Todd Fraser puts the clear thinking of the Border Patrol forward, saying, "Our entire mission has changed, but our goal is the same - Border Security."

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