CBP Establishes Four Customs-Enforcement Areas to Combat Maritime Smuggling
Published Aug 25, 2026Effective Aug 25, 2026
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has declared four Customs-Enforcement Areas (CEAs) in the near shore waters of South Florida, Central/Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas. The declaration extends CBP's enforcement authority from 12 nautical miles to 24 nautical miles from the baseline to target hovering vessels used for smuggling people and goods.
Key points
- The CEAs are established under the Anti-Smuggling Act of 1935 and took effect on August 25, 2026.
- Within the CEAs, customs officers may board, search, and seize vessels, cargo, and persons, and pursue, seize, or arrest individuals.
- The areas extend enforcement from 12 nautical miles to 24 nautical miles from baseline, aligning with the U.S. contiguous zone.
- CBP cites past enforcement data including drug seizures and tens of thousands of apprehensions of illegal aliens and smugglers in these regions.
- This is a final rule, not a proposed rule, and is already in effect as of the publication date.
Who is affected
The rule affects vessel operators, smugglers, and individuals attempting unlawful entry or exit by sea in the designated coastal zones, as well as CBP maritime enforcement operations.
What to do
No action is required from visa applicants or the general public; the rule concerns CBP's expanded maritime enforcement authority rather than individual immigration benefits.
Original title: Establishment of Four Customs-Enforcement Areas
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This summary was produced with AI from the official announcement. Only the official source is authoritative.