History
In the Appropriates Act approved in 1925, because of the proximity of the United States to the many Caribbean Islands, Congress extended the scope of Border Patrol activities to include coast patrol. This was prompted by the extent of alien smuggling by water, especially from Cuba. As a result of this act, the Miami Border Patrol Station opened in early 1926, shortly after the establishment of the Border Patrol in Florida. Smuggling and illegal entry by boat, and later small aircraft, were and continue to be of primary concern attributed to the close proximity to Cuba and the Bahamas. Buildup of personnel occurred in 1942 as a result of war and the landing of saboteurs on the Florida coast, in 1950-51 to combat increased smuggling by air from Cuba, and again in 1959, due to the Plan to Prevent Illegal Departure of Private Aircraft.

Area of Responsibility
The Pembroke Pines Border Patrol Station area of responsibility is the crossroads for most of the air and sea traffic from South America and the Caribbean entering the United States. There are two international seaports and two international airports within the AOR. The major cities in the area are Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Collier County was added to the Miami Station’s area of responsibility in 1963 when the Fort Meyers Station closed. Lee County was added in May of 1966 due to the realignment of station areas as a result of the closing of the Daytona Beach Station. In 1966, the area formerly assigned to the Homestead Border Patrol Station was assigned to the Miami Station due to the closing of Homestead.

In 1988, the Miami Station was moved to Pembroke Pines, and is presently located at the North Perry Airport. The Miami Station was renamed the Pembroke Pines Border Patrol Station.

The Pembroke Pines Station’s area of responsibility today spreads across the south Florida Peninsula, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Gulf of Mexico on the west. The counties of Dade, Broward, Lee, and Collier compromise the land area of operations, which includes 635 miles of coastline. The two deepwater seaports in the station’s area, the Port of Miami, and Port Everglades add to the potential of illegal entry, as well as other violators. The Port of Everglades received over 5,500 ship calls last year, over 3,200,000 cruise passengers and over 5,600,000 cargo tons per year. The Port of Miami is the cruise capitol of the world with over 3,700,000 cruise ship passengers per year.