U.S. Border Patrol stations in the Miami, Florida, Sector have been under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security since September 11, 2001. Although originally created to stop illegal immigration and illegal entries into the United States, Border Patrol jobs in Florida now also include detecting, apprehending and deterring terrorists.
Staffing of Border Patrol personnel through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Southwest Border Sectors has increased dramatically since the terror attacks of 9/11. For example, the Southwest Border Sector had just 148 Border Patrol jobs in FY2001, but it jumped dramatically in FY2009 to 223 and then to 232 in FY2011.
Of the 232 Border Patrol jobs in FY2011, 94 were in the Miami sector, which is responsible for the protection of 1,203 miles of coastal border along the Atlantic Ocean (Florida) and the Gulf Shores (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina). The Official Area of Responsibility for the Miami sector, however, also includes Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, although the primary area of responsibility is within Florida, with the exception of the Florida Panhandle West of the Apalachicola River.
In FY2011, the Miami Sector was responsible for: 4,401 apprehensions (other than Mexican apprehensions); 2,872 pounds of seized marijuana; and 564 pounds of cocaine.
Border Patrol Training Requirements in the Miami, Florida Sector
The United States Border Patrol, which serves as the mobile, uniformed law enforcement arm of the CBP, is responsible for overseeing the nearly 6,000 miles of Mexican and Canadian international land borders and the 2,000 miles of coastal waters surrounding both Puerto Rico and Florida. Some of the CBP professionals who may be found working in the Miami sector include:
CBP Air/Marine Interdiction Agents: These CBP professionals have recieved specialized training that allows them to operate a fleet of air marine vessels. The marine interdiction unit operates mainly along the northern and southern U.S. border and U.S. seaports.
Agricultural Specialists: Agricultural specialists inspect items such as flowers, fruit, vegetables, and herbs entering the United States do not threaten our country’s agriculture, natural resources, and economy.
CBP Officers: CBP officers has full law enforcement powers, thereby allowing them to prevent the entry of terrorists or terrorist weapons into the United States through the inspection of travelers and their goods and through the seizure of narcotics and other illegal or prohibited items. Further, CBP officers prevent the entry of undocumented individuals into the country.
Border Patrol Agents: Border patrol agents are tasked with preventing terrorist and terrorist weapons from entering the country; detecting and preventing the entrance of undocumented aliens; and apprehending people who break immigration laws.
In addition to meeting specific Border Patrol job training and education requirements, all Border Patrol professionals must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a U.S. resident for at least 3 years
- Be under the age of 40 (with the exception of those who meet veteran eligibility or those with previous federal law enforcement experience)
- Hold a valid driver’s license
- Pass a background check, medical exam, fitness test, drug test and polygraph test
Careers with the CBP come with a federal benefits package, including federal health insurance, life insurance, long-term care insurance, and 401K plans.
Individuals may not qualify for a career in the CBP is they have past or present arrests; have convictions, including domestic violence charges; have debts or other financial issues; or excessively use alcohol.
Miami, Florida, Border Patrol Sector
The Miami, Florida, which was established in 1940, consist of about 187,000 square miles, along with more than 1,200 miles of coastal border and Gulf shores.
The Miami, Florida, sector includes six Border Patrol stations:
- Jacksonville Station
- Marathon Station
- Orlando Station
- Dania Beach Station
- Tampa Station
- West Palm Beach Station