John Modlin has returned to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as Senior Advisor to Commissioner Scott, bringing more than three decades of experience leading large-scale border security, law enforcement, and operational organizations.
Modlin most recently served as Acting Deputy Commissioner of CBP, where he oversaw the agency’s daily operations as its senior career official. In that role, he supported CBP’s broad mission areas, including trade, travel, and national security operations.
During his career, Modlin has led large organizations through complex operational environments, including overseeing more than 67,000 personnel and a roughly $19 billion annual operating budget while serving as Acting Deputy Commissioner. He also supported the development of the spend plan for the $64.7 billion One Big Beautiful Bill.
Before becoming Acting Deputy Commissioner, Modlin served as Chief Patrol Agent of the Tucson Sector, where he led more than 3,100 Border Patrol Agents and nearly 400 professional staff responsible for border security operations across 262 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona.
He previously served as Chief Patrol Agent of the Miami Sector and held a variety of leadership positions across the U.S. Border Patrol, including assignments at headquarters, field stations, and operational leadership roles.
Modlin began his Border Patrol career in 1995 as a member of Border Patrol Academy Class 296. His early assignments included the Chula Vista Station in the San Diego Sector before moving through leadership roles including Senior Patrol Agent, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent, Patrol Agent in Charge, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent, and Deputy Chief Patrol Agent.
In addition to his Border Patrol leadership experience, Modlin participated in the Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program and served as Deputy Federal Security Director at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport with the Transportation Security Administration.
Modlin holds a Master of Military Art and Science degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, where he received a Homeland Security Studies Award for his master’s thesis. He also holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from Webster University.
