U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) held a law enforcement career expo in Tampa, Florida this January as part of its ongoing recruitment efforts. The event aimed to connect with individuals interested in joining the agency’s workforce.
Over two days, more than 571 people attended the expo, where they met CBP recruiters and learned about career opportunities within the agency. By the end of the event, 434 attendees had submitted applications to join CBP, resulting in a conversion rate of 76 percent. This figure is nearly double the industry standard for similar recruitment events.
CBP representatives noted that the Tampa Expo was distinguished not only by its turnout but also by the engagement between recruiters and potential applicants. Agency teams provided information about various career paths and answered questions from attendees.
The Tampa event is part of a broader recruitment strategy by CBP. In recent months, recruiters have visited 26 states—including areas along the southern border and Puerto Rico—to reach prospective candidates directly. Since January 2025, nearly 130,000 people have participated in 195 CBP recruitment events across the country.
According to CBP data, applicants who interact with recruiters are more likely to complete the hiring process. To support this approach, Interior Recruitment Teams have been established nationwide to provide local guidance throughout application procedures. The agency also offers online webinars and virtual expos where applicants can speak with current agents and officers.
CBP has implemented several measures to streamline its hiring process. These include a dedicated careers website and an applicant portal that provides real-time updates and allows self-service scheduling for interviews or assessments.
“CBP is America’s frontline: the nation’s largest law enforcement organization and the world’s first unified border management agency,” according to information provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “The 67,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country’s economic prosperity. We enhance the nation’s security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.”
Those interested in future recruitment events can find more information at https://go.dhs.gov/i6b or visit careers.cbp.gov for details about available positions.
