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In this Update
- Message from the Deputy Assistant Commissioner
- CBP's Hurricane Response Operations
- Safety and Enforcement During Emergency Events
- Enforcement News from Across CBP
Message from the Deputy Assistant Commissioner
Although the official end date is still a week away, the 2024 hurricane season has already been particularly destructive. Hurricane Milton followed right on the heels of Hurricane Helene leaving record-breaking damage across the Southeast. With an expansive national footprint spanning air, land, and sea, CBP has deeply rooted local, state, and federal partnerships and specialized capabilities that make us a critical component of the Government's disaster response operations. This CBP Access update highlights how CBP's comprehensive coordination of personnel, technology, and logistics enable it to support disaster-stricken areas, conduct search and rescue operations, and support recovery efforts.
–Stephanie Talton, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Office of Congressional Affairs
CBP's Hurricane Response Operations
Before a hurricane makes landfall, CBP strategically pre-positions Air and Marine Operations (AMO) aircraft and vessel crews, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Special Operations Group agents—which includes Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue teams (BORSTAR)—as well as Office of Field Operations (OFO) Special Response Teams and Disaster Assistance Response Teams. CBP personnel collaborate closely with an extensive network of federal and state emergency management agencies and prepare to conduct search and rescue operations, conduct aerial damage assessments for local and state response authorities, and assist employees and their families in the region as soon as conditions permit.
CBP activates a Lead Field Coordinator (LFC) to oversee and coordinate all critical CBP operations within the impacted region. CBP’s highest priorities are conducting lifesaving and life-sustaining activities, ensuring the safe evacuation of people leaving the impacted area, maintaining public order, preventing the loss of property wherever possible, and facilitating the swift recovery of the affected region.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Ahead of Hurricane Helene’s landfall on September 26, 2024, CBP directed its operational offices in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to take preemptive action to protect employees, secure assets, and pre-deploy resources to support post-storm lifesaving and recovery efforts. AMO deployed numerous aircraft and crews, including hoist-capable UH-60 helicopters, Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft, and AS350/H125 A-Star helicopters. CBP personnel maintained continuous communication with airport and seaport stakeholders and continued to conduct essential travel and trade operations until those airports and seaports suspended operations.
Following the hurricane’s passage, CBP initiated employee accountability and facility assessments, and participated in coordinated federal, state, and local lifesaving efforts and recovery operations. The CBP Special Response Team supported the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Urban Search and Rescue operations in regions affected by these extreme weather events.
Similar measures were taken in preparation for Hurricane Milton’s landfall on October 9, 2024. AMO fulfilled FEMA mission assignments within areas impacted by Hurricane Milton leveraging a multitude of assets and personnel to support response teams with UH-60 and AS350 helicopters, operating from its Air and Marine Branches in Miami, Jacksonville, and New Orleans. Additionally, AMO provided persistent live video feeds from Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft to liaisons at state emergency operations centers for real-time situational awareness.
In the face of extreme weather events, CBP’s preparation, personnel, and specialized capabilities, combined with close coordination with FEMA and other government and private-sector partners, are essential to the whole-of-government response to natural disasters. Driven by a commitment to national security and community safety, CBP’s strategic resource deployment and dedicated personnel play a pivotal role in expediting recovery efforts across affected communities.
LEARN MORE: For an in-depth look at the people, assets, and coordination involved in CBP’s emergency response operations, visit CBP.gov to read All In: CBP’s Unprecedented Response to Hurricane Maria.
Safety and Enforcement during Emergency Events
During emergency events, CBP reminds the public that sites that provide emergency response and relief are considered protected areas. To the fullest extent possible, CBP does not conduct immigration enforcement activities at protected areas such as along evacuation routes; sites used for sheltering or the distribution of emergency supplies, food or water; or registration sites for disaster-related assistance or the reunification of families and loved ones.
At the request of FEMA, state, or local authorities, CBP may provide search and rescue, public safety, and emergency assistance to individuals regardless of their immigration status. CBP officials do not and will not pose as individuals providing emergency-related information as part of any enforcement activities. CBP carries out its mission without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, ethnicity, disability or political associations, and in compliance with law and policy.
Enforcement News from Across CBP
AMO Intercepts Cocaine Smuggling Attempt Near the Virgin Islands
St Thomas, VI – On October 6, 2024, AMO interdicted a vessel attempting to smuggle 156 pounds (70.75 kilograms) of cocaine through the eastern coast of the island. During a routine patrol, the crew of a Coastal Interceptor Vessel, operating out of the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch, located a vessel navigating west without lights. Marine Interdiction Agents were able to stop the vessel near Culebra encountering 2 men, who claimed citizenship of the Dominican Republic, and three bags containing a total of 59 bricks of cocaine. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assumed custody of the two men and the contraband for investigation and prosecution.
CBP Officers Seize $438K in Mixed Narcotics at Eagle Pass Port of Entry
Eagle Pass, TX – On October 26, 2024, CBP’s Office of Field Operations seized more than $438,000 in mixed narcotics (cocaine and fentanyl) in a single enforcement action. During routine operations, a CBP officer referred a vehicle for secondary inspection. After examining the vehicle with non-intrusive inspection technology and canines, CBP officers discovered 11 packages containing 24.60 pounds of alleged cocaine and two packages containing 4.72 pounds of alleged fentanyl hidden in the vehicle. CBP seized the narcotics and the vehicle. HSI arrested the driver and initiated a criminal investigation.
Laredo Border Patrol Agents Intercept Human Smuggling Attempt
Laredo, TX – On October 15, 2024, Border Patrol agents from the Laredo Sector prevented the smuggling of 16 noncitizens. At approximately 9:15 p.m., while conducting assigned duties, Border Patrol agents responded to a concerned citizen call reporting suspicious activity. The agents noticed a parked tractor trailer belonging to a local business, and upon examination discovered undocumented noncitizens locked inside. The agents successfully rescued all 16 migrants and transported them to the Laredo North Station for processing. All subjects were processed according to their individual immigration status.