Guide to the Border Patrol in Houston, TX

The border patrol officers at the Texas Department of Public Safety (D.P.S.) work with local and state partners to assist the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unit.

The department is involved in implementing a comprehensive detection and communication technology system and boosting ground, air, and marine interdiction resources.

The Texas Border Patrol operates under CBP., which is the largest law enforcement agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They are focused on detecting and preventing illegal entry into the U.S. across the land border.

In addition, they oversee the security of the Texas border by working diligently to prevent, identify, and stop smuggling activities along the border between Texas and Mexico.

What Does Border Patrol Do in Texas?

Border Patrol Agents in Texas are responsible for the following:

Securing international land borders and coastal waters across the different ports of entry in Texas
Protecting U.S. citizens from terrorists and terrorist weapons
Detecting and stopping drug smugglers
Preventing the unlawful entry of undocumented aliens into the U.S.
Preventing the illegal trafficking of humans and contraband goods
Conducting regular traffic checkpoints along highways that lead from border areas
Conducting city patrol and transportation checks and anti-smuggling investigations

The Border Patrol sectors responsible for keeping the borders of Texas safe are the following:

Big Bend(formerly Marfa): This sector covers a vast area of West Texas and a small part of Oklahoma.
Del Rio: Located in the central part of the Texas-Mexico border, the Del Rio Sector covers counties like Val Verde and Maverick.
El Paso: This sector covers the border area around the city of El Paso and extends into the state of New Mexico.
Laredo: Covering the border area around the city of Laredo, this sector is responsible for several counties in South Texas. It’s one of the busiest sectors in terms of illegal border crossings and drug smuggling.
Rio Grande Valley(often referred to as R.G.V.): Cities like McAllen, Brownsville, and Harlingen fall within this sector.

Houston Border Patrol Offices

This list of Houston Border Patrol offices includes several field offices spread out across the city, all playing a crucial role in ensuring border security and regulating immigration activities.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Office

Location Address – 2323 S. Shepherd #1300, Houston, TX 77019, United States.

Phone contact: +1 713-387-7200

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deferred Inspection Office

Location Address – 19581 Lee Rd, Humble, Houston, TX 77338, United States

Phone contact: +1 281-230-4600

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office (Houston)

Location Address – 2350 North Sam Houston Pkwy E #900, Houston, TX 77032

Phone contact: +1 281-985-6700

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.

Houston Airport, Texas – 5309

Location Address – 2350 N. Sam Houston Pkwy E. #900, Houston, TX 77032-3100, United States

Phone contact: +1 281-985-6700

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.

Houston Seaport, Texas – 5301

Location Address – 7141 Office City Drive, Houston, TX 77087, United States

Phone contact: +1 713-454-8002

Office Hours: Monday – Sunday, 24-hour service.

How the Houston Border Patrol Could Be Involved in Your Immigration Process

The Houston Border Patrol plays a vital role in safeguarding the United States by preventing illegal entry into the country and halting the import of harmful or illegal substances.

Foreign nationals may be subjected to search procedures upon their arrival at Houston airports or other ports of entry.

Border patrol officers may choose to inspect an individual for the following reasons:

Their travel documents are incomplete, or they do not have the correct documents or visa
They have previously violated one of the laws that the CBP enforces
They have a pending removal (deportation) order on their record
They have a name that matches a person of interest in one of the government’s law enforcement databases
They have been selected for a random search

What to Do When Stopped by Border Patrol in Houston, TX?

If you are stopped, searched, or detained by border patrol, it is recommended that you take the following actions:

Avoid using forged documents or claiming false citizenship
Remain calm and listen
Contact an immigration attorney
Do not argue with the Border Patrol officer
Taking videos or recordings at a port of entry may be prohibited
Try the get the names of the border patrol officers that initiated the stop and search
You may choose to remain silent

Actions Border Patrol May Take After Suspicion of Illegal Activity

Border patrol officers may take the following actions if they suspect that an illegal activity has occurred:

Arrest the individual
Conduct a thorough search on the individual
Confiscate the individual’s U.S. passport
Deny or delay an airline from boarding
Deny or delay the individual’s entry into the U.S. at a port of entry
Detain the individual in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility
Refer the individual to undergo additional (secondary) screening

What Happens if You Are Arrested by Border Patrol in Houston, TX?

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA 287(a)(2)) gives border patrol agents the power to arrest aliens believed to have committed immigration violations.

Additionally, Title 19 of the U.S. Code permits border patrol officers to inspect persons, baggage, cargo, and merchandise arriving in the United States from abroad.

Individuals found with an illegal substance or without a valid visa may be arrested and placed in a Houston detention facility.

Immigration officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Houston must decide within two days whether to transfer you to removal proceedings, keep you in custody, or release you on a bond.

If you are placed in removal proceedings, the immigration court will send you a Notice to Appear (NTA) to attend a hearing before an immigration judge.

If the court finds you guilty of committing an immigration violation, you will be deported and may be banned from future entry into the U.S.

Andrew T. Thomas, Attorneys at Law Can Help

It is vital to be well-prepared for possible issues at a U.S. port of entry. Andrew T. Thomas, Attorneys at Law, can help you prepare your entire immigration process up to your entry into the U.S.

We can review potential issues at the port of entry and ensure you have all the necessary documents to present to the border patrol.

If you or a loved one was arrested for a customs-related offense, such as illegally importing drugs, filing fraudulent customs forms, or smuggling goods, our law firm is fully equipped to provide the necessary legal assistance and representation.

Further, if you feel that a border patrol officer has discriminated against you, we can assist you in filing a claim and guide the proper steps.

Our legal team is committed to handling your case with the utmost professionalism. We will work tirelessly to reduce or dismiss any charges that border patrol may have against you.