Visitors to the Big Bend Sector, often describe it as "big country." Whether in the north where large farms surround small Texas towns or the rugged and vast area near the Rio Grande River, this is a great place to be. And I am honored to serve with the men and women of the United States Border Patrol assigned to the Big Bend Sector. They are dedicated and loyal professionals who every day go to work with the safety and security of the American people in mind.
History
On October 1, 2011, the Marfa Border Patrol Sector was officially renamed the Big Bend Border Patrol Sector, to better reflect the area of responsibility of the Sector. The Big Bend Sector is strategically located across the northward route of travel from the area of northern Chihuahua and Coahuila, Mexico, inland to the agricultural areas of West Texas. The town of Marfa, Texas, is located on U.S. Highway 67, the principal highway leading from the Class A Port of Entry at Presidio.
Like the area in which it is situated, the Big Bend Sector has grown extensively during its history. Beginning as a loosely organized group of out stations, many with no office and little equipment, it is now a well organized and highly mobile enforcement organization, closely integrated with other sectors throughout the United States.
Area of Responsibility
The Big Bend Sector is composed of 77 Texas counties and all of the State of Oklahoma (78 counties). The operational area is 165,154 square miles. The Sector is responsible for patrolling 517 miles of river front along the Rio Grande River which is the international boundary between the United States and Mexico. The Sector's border boundary is almost one-quarter of the country's Southwest Border.
The Big Bend Sector challenge coin depicts a lone Border Patrol agent on horseback standing on the banks of the Rio Grande River as it flows through the lower canyons. This image represents the sector’s vast area that is patrolled by a finite number of Border Patrol Agents.
