History and Area of Responsibility
The Billings station was on the drawing board for a long time, but was slow in materializing. For years the area was worked from the hi-line on a detail basis and often these details enforced the idea that we were doing too little too late. Many of the calls received and details were in response to other law enforcement agencies who already had one or more illegal’s in custody on criminal charges.

In the last two years, before the Billings station was actually formed, Agents of the Malta sub-station worked this area almost single handedly and finally proved that the area could not be ignored.

The Billings station became active as of March 1, 1988, with one GS-ll Senior Patrol Agent. There had been no building or office site obtained before that time and the Agent worked out of the trunk of his patrol car, his temporary quarters, and the offices of the U.S, Marshal and the Yellowstone County Sheriff's office. Attempts to gain office space in the federal building were unsuccessful, but 325 feet of office space was obtained in the U.S. Post Office building at 2602 First Avenue North in downtown Billings. This office was occupied in late July of 1988 after usual delays and setbacks. A second Senior Patrol Agent was added to the station on November 2, 1988. There is now one Supervisory Border Patrol Agent, one Senior Patrol Agent, one Border Patrol Assistant, and an ICE IEA.

The Billings station moved into the new Federal Building, located at 2900 4th Avenue North, in March of 1995. This new office space is comprised of 1,150 feet, and within that space will have two interview rooms, a holding cell, a common area and a storage area.

Parking facilities for four vehicles is provided in the basement of the building with access to the second floor via both elevator and a stairway.

The Billings Agents are under the supervision of the Patrol Agent in Charge located in Havre, Montana. The Agents work mostly day shifts and are subject to callout on almost a daily basis. The primary duty at the Billings Station is transportation check. This duty is performed by agents at the Greyhound bus depot and local airport on a daily basis. Agents work closely with several other federal agencies including FBI, DEA, ATF, and ICE. Agents also respond to calls for assistance from local law enforcement entities.

Because of the large area involved and question of manpower, the boundaries of the Billings station have not been strictly defined, but generally cover an area of about ten counties in south central Montana and approximately eight in north western Wyoming.