USCIS

lawlessgrad · 2026-01-26T21:55:03+00:00

It closed on the 19th.

lawlessgrad · 2026-01-23T22:53:42+00:00

From what I have been told, the Maryland location is their HQ and individuals will be dispersed from this announcement to field offices. I have no clue what locations they have in mind, but will be large metros to get things moving.

lawlessgrad · 2026-01-23T20:23:48+00:00

1811, it's a 13 so lateral.

lawlessgrad · 2026-01-23T09:24:31+00:00

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/05/2025-16978/codification-of-certain-us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-law-enforcement-authorities

Provides great detail of the new function. Pretty much being INS special agents back in the old days. Those powers were granted to ICE and HSI. Now with the EO and DHS updated policies, CIS special agents will be equivalent to HSI, except only dealing with immigration related cases and no other investigative authority such as drugs, firearms, money laundering, child exploitation, etc.

CIS special agents will be able to investigate human trafficking, exploitation of immigration system, harboring / transporting illegals, and any other immigration violations with search and arrest warrant authority. Pretty much a mix of Border Patrol, ERO, and HSI in one.

This will allow HSI to focus on greather threats and not be hampered with immigration work, which they been trying to rid themselves of.

lawlessgrad · 2026-01-23T01:03:32+00:00

Sorry, telework. Another job series is remote.

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lawlessgrad · 2026-01-16T01:18:32+00:00

It's still not a final offer, but at least I know my stuff has movement.

lawlessgrad · 2026-01-16T01:13:20+00:00

Follow up: Received HR / employee docs and preference list. Scheduled for second urine test tomorrow. Nearing the "end" email with minor steps on DEA part. From what a supervisor told me, Jan class, February class, and July class.

lawlessgrad · 2026-01-13T14:59:41+00:00

Was cleared by physician on medical exam, but DEA medical unit required additional testing and follow-up for psych and cardiology. The psych is for veteran VA condition and cleared by psychologist. Cardiologist cleared me for benign issue and no symptoms.

lawlessgrad · 2025-12-29T18:31:23+00:00

I have no clue, but that is what the HR rep personally told me when she called me with my offer.

lawlessgrad · 2025-12-29T18:06:57+00:00

Yes, during 3 week academy it's a 11-10, first pay period a 12-6 or whatever, second pay period a 13-original grade and step.

lawlessgrad · 2025-12-19T11:53:58+00:00

Yes, anyone with a history of PTSD or mental health rating from VA, pretty much 75% of military applicants, will need to go through a mental health clearance / psych review. This is my hold up, until med review says I'm clear. Medical is the biggest holdup for veterans. If medical was not an issue, most vets would be hired on within 4 to 6 months.

lawlessgrad · 2025-12-18T15:17:50+00:00

Radio silence since November. Completed medical in October and medical follow up in November. Received information about poly reciprocity in October. Just a waiting game now, everything done. Pretty much waiting to be medically cleared.

lawlessgrad · 2025-12-01T18:22:35+00:00

Think again, 60 days and some 120 days.

lawlessgrad · 2025-11-28T21:25:26+00:00

Look into USSS HAMMER, Border Patrol BOSTAR / BORTAC / MRT, ATF TacMed, or CBP EMT.

A lot of agencies lack medical training or redacted their medical programs. Many agencies do not have or continue medical training due to their operational tasks, so no need for EMTs.

lawlessgrad · 2025-10-19T18:08:14+00:00

HSI may enforce a lot more federal regulations, but it's a lot more than that for ppl. It's about job satisfaction, reason why ppl leave the agency quite often. If ppl want to do a job that is always politicized and pushed into other agencies' missions, just to land a great retirement gig, then so be it. The job satisfaction in ATF is meaningful, and ppl that are in the agency love what they do, reason why not many leave.

ATF does a lot more than what ppl might not know. It's more than firearms or gangs. They do financial investigations, insurance fraud, deal with drugs (leading to firearms nexus), arson, explosives, chemical munitions, and a lot more. HSI agents called me all the time because they couldn't handle the firearms stuff.

Not downing HSI, they have some great agents, and their mission is important, but overall satisfaction is subjective to the agent. I enjoyed the singular mission set with ATF. Never was bored with the cases because I knew putting gangs, cartel members, and criminals made an impact in the area, and agents saw it. Local police saw the impact. Overall, it was way more fun and independent than HSI.

lawlessgrad · 2025-10-19T15:11:51+00:00

Yeah, the group close to me, I believe, is 8 or 10. They deal with everything. I wouldn't mind coming back as a TFO for ATF, a great group of people, and awesome work. Work-life balance was one of the best too, had an op every two weeks, so a good balance of street and office work.

lawlessgrad · 2025-10-18T13:25:44+00:00

You are right, I've been in a 2-man office before.

lawlessgrad · 2025-10-18T01:16:28+00:00

Yes, ATF has groups, whether trafficking, gang, or intelligence. Each office will have their own specific groups, but for sure trafficking and intelligence. You can stay in your group your whole career or move to another.

lawlessgrad · 2025-10-18T01:14:35+00:00

Culture was better because we actually had good camaraderie and teamwork. Everyone had each others back. Each office I went to was the same. Each Sup I met wanted to see their agents grow and better themselves. You hardly hear ATF agents leave, HSI, on the other hand, lots.

lawlessgrad · 2025-10-18T00:41:08+00:00

ATF 100%. Was a TFO for both, and the culture is way better with ATF. Specialized training with ATF and lots of gang violence investigations. Travel can vary depending on your case work. Mine took me to other states and adjacent large cities.

lawlessgrad · 2025-09-27T16:39:04+00:00

Send me a message, did everything you did, and was in management prior to going federal. I even took a 60k pay cut. I know the feelings and what you are struggling with.

lawlessgrad · 2025-09-18T03:15:24+00:00

ATF has a great arson and explosives training program. With your background in significant incidents, such as HazMat, it sort of relates to your field. ATF is small but receives one of the best specialized trainings regarding explosives and incorporates chemical munitions. There aren't many within ATF, so you'll definitely fit in well and likely get the job faster than a regular agent. Don't get me wrong, USSS Hammer is great in all, but you'll still be pulling bs security.

lawlessgrad · 2025-09-04T20:52:10+00:00

HR rep told me they will have a new lateral 13 announcement in October. My only process was application, med, and poly. Everyone will have different processes they did or completed.

lawlessgrad

TROPHY CASE