The Border Patrol is looking to hire a few thousand good men and women to meet the agency's goal of adding 2,000 agents by October. Recruiters will hold a hiring fair in San Diego Saturday. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.
Hiring more Border Patrol agents has been a key part of President George Bush's plan to reduce illegal immigration.
Two years ago, the president said the Border Patrol would add 6,000 new agents by the end of fiscal 2008.
Recruiter Matt Calmes says San Diego's sector has organized a local recruiting event to help.
Calmes : We are trying to do everything we can because we want the most qualified people to come into our agency. Even though we are hiring an additional 2,000 agents, we are not going to sacrifice our quality for the quantity of people.
The Border Patrol raised the age limit for recruits to 39 to attract more people.
They also cut two-and-a-half months off the training academy for agents who speak Spanish.
Border Patrol officials say the force's attrition rate has increased since the start of fiscal 2007. About 3,300 recruits and agents have left.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
