Texas Border Business
Chief Patrol Agent of the Rio Grande Valley Sector
EDINBURG, Texas – This week, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott selected Brian Hastings as the new Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector.
Throughout his career, Chief Hastings held multiple executive leadership positions. Most recently, he served as the Chief of the Law Enforcement Operations Directorate at the U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Chief Hastings had oversight of the day-to day law enforcement operations of all U.S. Border Patrol sectors in the United States.
Chief Hastings brings with him nearly 25 years of border security and law-enforcement experience to the Rio Grande Valley. His leadership will prove vital as RGV continues to be the busiest sector along the southwest border. During the past year, the sector experienced record numbers of illegal alien apprehensions and was at the center of the national crisis.
“Supporting the men and women of the RGV Sector, all of whom accomplished amazing things to secure this nation during a time of an unprecedented crisis, is my priority,” said Chief Patrol Agent Brian Hastings. “RGV agents have been at the epicenter of the crisis throughout and they performed those duties in an outstanding manner.”
RGV continues to manage initiatives that are proving successful in mitigating the overwhelming numbers of illegal aliens crossing the border. With nearly 340,000 illegal alien apprehensions in fiscal year 2019 in RGV, Border Patrol resources were stretched beyond its capacity which had effects that reverberated throughout the community. Partnerships and support from stakeholders was, and remains, key to addressing border security threats.
“I am committed to doing everything I can to strengthen the already incredible partnerships that my predecessors, current leaders, and agents have formed in the Rio Grande Valley,” added Chief Hastings.
Chief Hastings began his Border Patrol career in 1995 at the Cotulla station in the Laredo Sector. Throughout his career, he held key leadership roles on both the southwest and northern borders to include CPA of the Buffalo Sector as well as multiple assignments at U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters.
In the RGV Sector, Chief Patrol Agent Hastings has direct oversight of the strategy and tactical operations of nine stations responsible for securing 277 river miles and 316 coastal miles in an area of responsibility spanning 34 counties.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
