About Ray Harris
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Ray Harris is a retired U.S. Border Patrol Supervisory Agent and Special Agent with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he served for 13 years, achieving the rank of Gunnery Sergeant (E-7). His dedication to public service, historical preservation, and workforce advocacy continues through his foundational work on HonorFirst.com.
Ray is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arizona, an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Pensacola Junior College, and an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice from Pima County Community College. |
Retired Immigration Special Agent Ray Harris
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Border Patrol and Immigration Service Career
Ray began his Border Patrol career in 1980 as a member of Border Patrol Academy Class 139. During his 17-year tenure, he served in multiple sectors and duty stations:
In 1997, Ray transitioned to INS Investigations as a Special Agent in San Bernardino, CA, focusing on immigration enforcement and investigative work. He remained in this position until his retirement from federal service in 2002.
Ray’s dedication to the mission was recognized through multiple Quality Step Increases and performance awards. In 2020, he received the USBP Commendation Medal, the agency’s highest performance-based award. Notably, he remains the only recipient to receive this recognition for efforts conducted entirely after retirement.
- Presidio, TX (1980-1982)
- Nogales, AZ (1982-1988)
- New Orleans, LA (1988-1992)
- Temecula, CA (1992-1995)
- Riverside, CA (1995-1997) – where he promoted to Supervisory Border Patrol Agent
In 1997, Ray transitioned to INS Investigations as a Special Agent in San Bernardino, CA, focusing on immigration enforcement and investigative work. He remained in this position until his retirement from federal service in 2002.
Ray’s dedication to the mission was recognized through multiple Quality Step Increases and performance awards. In 2020, he received the USBP Commendation Medal, the agency’s highest performance-based award. Notably, he remains the only recipient to receive this recognition for efforts conducted entirely after retirement.
The Creation of the HonorFirst Website and Delphi Forums
As the internet gained popularity in the mid-1990s, Ray recognized a critical gap—there was no independent online resource to guide individuals through the complex and often confusing U.S. Border Patrol hiring process. To fill this void, he launched an early version of what would become HonorFirst.com around 1995, initially as a simple webpage with hiring announcements and his contact information.
The demand for information quickly became overwhelming. Ray spent up to four hours per day answering applicant questions via phone and email. To streamline this process, he created the Delphi Agent's Forum in March 1998 and later the Applicant's Forum in 1999. These forums provided an independent discussion space where aspiring agents and experienced Border Patrol personnel could exchange information, answer hiring-related questions, and share career insights.
By the time the Applicant’s Forum was retired on August 5, 2024, it had:
As HonorFirst.com grew, it became the only independent website dedicated to USBP recruitment, history, and workforce support. Its impact was so significant that circa 2000, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) contacted Ray to address how the website was affecting federal hiring statistics, due to the number of applicants using HonorFirst.com as their primary hiring resource.
Recognizing the site’s value, CBP reached out to Ray requesting permission to use content from HonorFirst.com to help shape what would eventually become CBP’s official Border Patrol hiring webpage.
In 2021, Ray invited recently retired Assistant Chief Clifford Gill to join HonorFirst.com as a webmaster, helping to expand its mission beyond recruitment support. Under Cliff’s leadership, HonorFirst.com has grown into an initiative dedicated to:
The demand for information quickly became overwhelming. Ray spent up to four hours per day answering applicant questions via phone and email. To streamline this process, he created the Delphi Agent's Forum in March 1998 and later the Applicant's Forum in 1999. These forums provided an independent discussion space where aspiring agents and experienced Border Patrol personnel could exchange information, answer hiring-related questions, and share career insights.
By the time the Applicant’s Forum was retired on August 5, 2024, it had:
- Over 48,000 members
- More than 3.7 million additional visitors
- Served as one of the largest online resources for Border Patrol applicants
As HonorFirst.com grew, it became the only independent website dedicated to USBP recruitment, history, and workforce support. Its impact was so significant that circa 2000, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) contacted Ray to address how the website was affecting federal hiring statistics, due to the number of applicants using HonorFirst.com as their primary hiring resource.
Recognizing the site’s value, CBP reached out to Ray requesting permission to use content from HonorFirst.com to help shape what would eventually become CBP’s official Border Patrol hiring webpage.
In 2021, Ray invited recently retired Assistant Chief Clifford Gill to join HonorFirst.com as a webmaster, helping to expand its mission beyond recruitment support. Under Cliff’s leadership, HonorFirst.com has grown into an initiative dedicated to:
- Historical research – uncovering and preserving the true history of the U.S. Border Patrol
- Workforce recognition – advocating for the proper acknowledgment of USBP personnel
- Public education – providing factual, well-researched information on the agency’s legacy
HonorFirst.com Today
Today, HonorFirst.com remains focused on historical research, workforce recognition, and public education while pursuing 501(c)(3) nonprofit recognition. The site continues to provide freely accessible information for researchers, current and former Border Patrol personnel, and the general public.
Although the Applicant’s Forum was retired in 2024, the Delphi Agent’s Forum continues separately as an independent, password-protected discussion space for current and former agents.
Ray’s work in creating and developing HonorFirst.com has shaped one of the most significant independent resources for the Border Patrol community. His dedication ensures that the history, traditions, and legacy of the U.S. Border Patrol will continue to be documented, preserved, and shared for future generations.
Although the Applicant’s Forum was retired in 2024, the Delphi Agent’s Forum continues separately as an independent, password-protected discussion space for current and former agents.
- HonorFirst.com does not moderate, endorse, or control the content within the forum.
- Forum access is managed separately and independently from HonorFirst.com.
Ray’s work in creating and developing HonorFirst.com has shaped one of the most significant independent resources for the Border Patrol community. His dedication ensures that the history, traditions, and legacy of the U.S. Border Patrol will continue to be documented, preserved, and shared for future generations.
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