CBP Expands Maritime Enforcement Zone to 24 Nautical Miles
Smuggling networks had a simple trick: stay just beyond 12 nautical miles from the U.S. coast, transfer cargo at sea, and slip away. As of August 25, 2026, that buffer no longer exists. CBP has doubled its maritime enforcement reach to 24 nautical miles in four high-risk coastal zones — and the change affects not just drug traffickers, but anyone attempting a sea crossing toward the United States.
What if smugglers are already operating just outside the reach of U.S. law enforcement? That gap just got smaller. On August 25, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced it had created four new Customs Enforcement Areas (CEAs) — zones where CBP can now act up to 24 nautical miles from shore, doubling the previous 12-nautical-mile limit.
The four areas cover waters near South Florida, Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said smuggling organizations had been deliberately staging vessel transfers just beyond the old 12-mile boundary — moving drugs, contraband, and people at sea before coordinating landings on remote coastlines. The new zones close that gap by aligning CBP's customs enforcement authority with the full 24-nautical-mile U.S. contiguous zone already recognized under international law.
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Who operates in these zones — and how
Inside the four CEAs, CBP's Air and Marine Operations will work alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and other federal agencies. Their focus: detecting and stopping vessels linked to cartels, foreign terrorist organizations, and other criminal networks before those vessels reach U.S. shores. CBP says the expanded authority also supports criminal investigation and prosecution of maritime smugglers caught in these waters.
The move follows two executive orders: Executive Order 14165 (Securing Our Borders) and Executive Order 14411 (Strengthening Customs Enforcement), which directed the Department of Homeland Security to expand enforcement of customs laws in areas facing ongoing maritime smuggling threats.
What this means for immigration news today
For people who crossed or are considering crossing by sea — including asylum seekers — this expansion means CBP can now intercept vessels much farther from shore. Interception at sea typically results in being returned or transferred to Coast Guard custody before reaching U.S. soil, which affects a person's ability to request asylum. Reaching U.S. soil or a U.S. port of entry is generally required to make an asylum claim under U.S. law.
What to do
- If you are considering a maritime crossing to seek asylum, speak with an immigration lawyer first. Interception at sea before reaching U.S. territory significantly limits your legal options.
- If you or a family member was intercepted at sea and is now in custody, contact an immigration attorney immediately to understand your rights and whether an asylum application is still possible.
- Monitor official CBP announcements for any updates on enforcement operations in the four designated areas: South Florida, Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas.
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Maritime interception before reaching U.S. territory is legally distinct from arriving at a port of entry. Under U.S. and international law, people stopped at sea generally cannot access the full asylum process available on land — they may be subject to expedited return or Coast Guard transfer without a credible-fear screening in some circumstances. If a family member was intercepted in one of the four new Customs Enforcement Areas, an attorney should immediately assess whether any protection claims can still be raised. Consult a licensed immigration attorney before any sea crossing if protection is your goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still apply for asylum if I was intercepted at sea by CBP or the Coast Guard?
It depends on where and how you were stopped. People intercepted before reaching U.S. soil or a U.S. port of entry generally face more limited options than those who arrive on land. An immigration attorney can review your specific situation and advise whether a protection claim is still possible.
What are the four Customs Enforcement Areas announced by CBP?
CBP designated waters near South Florida, Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas. In all four areas, CBP now has customs enforcement authority up to 24 nautical miles from shore.
Why did CBP expand from 12 to 24 nautical miles?
CBP says smuggling organizations were deliberately positioning vessels just beyond the old 12-mile limit to transfer drugs, contraband, and people at sea. The expansion aligns CBP's authority with the 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone already recognized under international law.
Does this change affect people already inside the United States?
This policy applies to maritime enforcement at sea, not to people already on U.S. soil. If you are already in the U.S. and have questions about your immigration status, removal proceedings, or an asylum application, those are handled through separate processes — speak with an immigration lawyer.