Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham
The Office of Public Affairs, headed by Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham, communicates CBP’s mission and operations. OPA continually informs the agency’s chief stakeholders, the American public, through media outreach and public awareness campaigns conducted via media events, news, video and photography as well as the public website CBP.gov and informational brochures.
Hilton Beckham is a seasoned political communications strategist with extensive experience across Capitol Hill, the Department of Defense, and the White House. She currently serves as the Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs , where she leads strategic communication efforts to advance the department’s mission and priorities.
Throughout her career, AC Beckham has held key public affairs and communications roles, including Communications Director at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) and Media Advisor for Regional Communications at the White House. She has provided strategic counsel to senior administration officials, members of Congress, and policymakers, specializing in media relations, crisis communications, and policy messaging, with a focus on national security and border policy.
Prior to her role at DHS, Beckham served as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security at the Department of Defense, helping manage public and congressional affairs related to border security and emergency response.
An experienced media strategist, Beckham has engaged with national and regional outlets, delivering clear and effective messaging on key policy issues. Her expertise in navigating high-profile media environments, coordinating press events, and managing rapid-response communications has made her a trusted voice in public affairs.
Beckham holds a Master of Science in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Thomas Edison State University.
In her role, she continues to develop and execute strategic messaging initiatives that ensure transparency and engagement with the public and key stakeholders.