Perez sworn in as director of CBP Santa Teresa Port

Charles Perez was sworn in as the director of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Santa Teresa Port on Friday and will oversee and manage all officers, agriculture specialists, and canine enforcement officers working in the port area in his new role.

Perez served as the area port director for Houston airports at George Bush International Airport and Houston Service Port from 2014 to 2017. Prior to that, he served as an assistant port director of passenger operations, a supervisory program manager and a port supervisor.

“As a native of southern New Mexico it is a personal and professional honor to assume the role of Santa Teresa Port Director,” Perez said. “This port of entry plays an important role in keeping our nation safe while also fostering a continually growing level of legitimate trade and travel in our region. We will continue on that path and work hard to serve our many stakeholders with the highest level of professionalism possible.”

In his new role, Perez will be tasked with advancing CBP’s central primary mission to prevent terrorists and weapons of terror from entering the country. He’ll also oversee customs and agriculture inspections at the ports of entry and all related immigration issues.

Perez graduated from New Mexico University in 1986 and from the University of Chicago CBP Command Leadership Institute in 2012. His began his career with CBP in 1986 as a canine enforcement officer.