U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced a significant expansion of its maritime enforcement authority. CBP established four Customs Enforcement Areas, expanding its enforcement jurisdiction from 12 to 24 nautical miles in designated waters adjacent to South Florida, Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas. This change directly affects immigration practitioners’ understanding of where CBP can operate and apprehend vessels carrying contraband or migrants.
What changed
CBP announced the establishment of four Customs Enforcement Areas, expanding its enforcement jurisdiction from 12 to 24 nautical miles in designated waters adjacent to South Florida, Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas. Smuggling organizations have exploited the outer edge of traditional customs waters by positioning vessels beyond the 12 nautical mile boundary, transferring illicit cargo at sea, and coordinating landings along remote shorelines.
The designations comply with Executive Order 14165, Securing Our Borders, by enhancing operational control in areas facing ongoing maritime smuggling threats, and are consistent with Executive Order 14411, Strengthening Customs Enforcement, which directs the Department of Homeland Security to take action to bolster enforcement of customs laws.
Within the four Customs Enforcement Areas, CBP’s Air and Marine Operations will work with the U.S. Coast Guard and other federal partners to detect and interdict vessels used by cartels, foreign terrorist organizations, and other criminal networks to move people, narcotics, and contraband toward the United States.
Why it matters
The expansion from 12 to 24 nautical miles aligns CBP’s customs enforcement authority with the U.S. contiguous zone under international law, closing a gap that smuggling organizations have actively exploited. The designations provide more consistent customs enforcement authority across these waters and support the investigation and prosecution of maritime smugglers.
For removal defense practitioners and those representing clients in maritime smuggling cases, this expansion means:
- CBP now has legal authority to board and search vessels in areas previously beyond their reach
- Vessel interdictions occurring between 12 and 24 nautical miles that might have faced jurisdictional challenges now fall squarely within CBP’s designated zones
- Coordination with Coast Guard operations in these expanded areas is formalized
- The four specific regions (South Florida, Southern California, Puerto Rico, Gulf Coast of Texas) see immediate jurisdictional change
Way forward
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Review case facts on maritime interdictions: If you represent a client apprehended in these four regions, confirm the exact nautical miles from shore where the vessel was stopped. Interdictions beyond 12 nautical miles that occurred before August 14, 2026, may have different jurisdictional implications than those after this date.
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Verify executive order authority: Obtain copies of Executive Orders 14165 and 14411 to understand the full scope and any time-limited provisions that may affect your client’s case.
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Coordinate with Coast Guard records: CBP’s expanded jurisdiction overlaps with ongoing Coast Guard operations. Request relevant interdiction reports and coordination logs to establish the precise legal basis for any boarding or search.
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Monitor secondary designations: Watch for further CBP announcements on enforcement procedures, asset deployment, and coordination protocols in these four regions, as operational details may affect your litigation strategy.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes by a software company, not a law firm, and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific; consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before taking any action based on this summary. Policy and enforcement priorities can change without notice. Always verify your understanding against the primary source linked above and current CBP guidance before advising clients or making filing decisions.