CBP To Hire 8,500 Officers In 4-Year Push, Backed By Bonuses And Tech, To Bolster Border Enforcement

CBP will add 8,500 law enforcement officers over four years—5,000 customs officers, 3,000 Border Patrol agents, and 500 air and marine officers—funded by the One Big Beautiful Bill. Officials say they will keep stringent standards while speeding hiring with data-driven monitoring, fast-path processing, automation, and an online portal. CBP is also reemploying recent retirees to mentor new hires ahead of expected attrition beginning in 2027. The CBO flags execution risks given labor-market constraints and CBP’s past recruitment challenges.