DHS |
| News | Posted By: hindtodaynews on:4/13/2012 12:22:14 PM |
ARTESIA, N.M. —Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner David V.
Aguilar, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Director Connie L. Patrick today traveled to Artesia, N.M. to deliver
remarks at commencement ceremonies for the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection Border Patrol Academy’s 1,000
th graduating class.
“Every day, the American people depend on the Border Patrol to keep
our borders secure,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Today, we have the
largest, best trained, and best equipped Border Patrol we’ve had at any
time in our nation’s history, and I’m proud of all the brave men and
women who dedicate themselves to this important work.”
The Department of Homeland Security has deployed unprecedented levels
of personnel, technology, and resources to the Southwest border,
resulting in a 53 percent decrease in border apprehensions—a key
indicator of illegal immigration—over the past three years.
“Our nation owes a great debt of gratitude to the men and women from
the Academy who, over the years, have prepared agents for the
increasingly challenging and vital mission of securing our nation's
borders,” said Acting Commissioner Aguilar. “If you want to make a
difference, if you want to give back, if you want to live your love of
country, then you are in the right place.”
The Border Patrol Academy at the FLETC in Artesia is one of the most
rigorous federal law enforcement academies in the nation. The 45
graduates of the 1,000th Session who completed a 58-day training program
will be assigned to Border Patrol sectors in Tucson, Ariz.; Del Rio,
Texas; and Laredo, Texas.
“This training program is long and challenging, and each of these men
and women worked very hard to get here today,” said Director Patrick.
“It is my hope that the training they received at the FLETC has prepared
them to serve the United States with honor and distinction.”
The Border Patrol Academy offered its first session in 1934 in El
Paso, Texas. The 32 students attended classes in marksmanship and
horsemanship. Today, the Academy maintains its strong training
tradition; students attend classes in immigration, customs and drug
laws, firearms as well as physical training. To date, the Academy has
graduated nearly 41,000 students.