Although South Dakota is not considered to be a “border state” (that is, it does not share the United States border with another country), it still has one Port of Entry. Persons holding U.S. customs jobs in South Dakota staff this Port of Entry. The Customs and Border Protection Unit (CBP) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is responsible for hiring qualified persons to fill these jobs in South Dakota.
Because South Dakota’s port of entry is an airport, those holding U.S. customs jobs in South Dakota process cargo and persons entering the United States through that airport. These employees must constantly be vigilant against possible terrorists or terrorist activities. Other facets of these jobs involve being able to discover illegal persons trying to enter the country or persons attempting to smuggle goods into the U.S. illegally.
U.S. Customs Crimes in South Dakota
While one might not think of South Dakota as a hotbed of U.S. customs crimes, the state has emerged to be a major factor in human trafficking. Criminals to bring persons in from other countries and force them to work long hours for little or no pay with the promise of starting a new life in the United States. Customs workers may also arrest persons who are engaging in sex trafficking of individuals against their will. The Polaris Project notes that both of these types of trafficking do occur in and are considered to be felonies in South Dakota.
Ports of Entry in South Dakota
Ports of Entry in South Dakota include:
- Sioux Falls Regional Airport – Joe Foss Field
U.S. Customs Requirements and Job Titles in South Dakota
The Sioux Falls Regional Airport in South Dakota employs various types of persons in U.S. customs jobs. Some of these include Air Interdiction Agents, who keep the country’s skies safe from illegal persons and goods entering the country; CBP Pilots, who pilot the airplanes in this endeavor; Agriculture Specialists, who inspect each agricultural item entering a port of entry to ensure that it is safe, pest-free and legal for entrance into the U.S.; and Import Specialists, who do the same thing with other imports entering ports of entry in the U.S.