Which was the First USBP Station
In 1924, when the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) received funding, operations and activities were initiated simultaneously across the nation, rather than starting with a single, designated station. This coincided with the fiscal year, which ran from July to June. The initial five weeks were primarily focused on hiring new Border Patrol employees and securing small rental spaces to serve as sub-district headquarters. These sub-districts often consisted of rented rooms or houses, as detailed in this document.
From 1924 to 1926, sub-districts were headed by Immigrant Inspectors, known as Patrol Inspectors in Charge (PIIC). Supervisory roles under the PIIC were not established until 1926. Although there is no evidence of a dedicated Border Patrol Station being constructed or rented prior to 1926, it is believed that PIICs would assign Border Patrol Inspectors to work in various cities and towns within their respective sub-districts.
While both Detroit and El Paso have historically claimed to be the first Border Patrol Stations, it is important to note that their uniqueness lies in the cities themselves. El Paso and Detroit were the only cities containing three tiers of Immigration Service hierarchy: district headquarters, sub-district headquarters, and a Border Patrol station. Moreover, during 1926-1927 and 1932-1933, two "Chiefs" led the Border Patrol, one for each border. These Chiefs were stationed not in Washington D.C., but in Detroit and El Paso, adding a fourth level of Immigration Service hierarchy to these locations.
For a comprehensive list of the 1933 USBP locations, including 121 stations (the earliest complete station list found), please refer to this document.
For more information, visit The Great Sector and Station Debate: Myths vs. Facts in Border Patrol History on This Week in USBP History, Vol. 102.
From 1924 to 1926, sub-districts were headed by Immigrant Inspectors, known as Patrol Inspectors in Charge (PIIC). Supervisory roles under the PIIC were not established until 1926. Although there is no evidence of a dedicated Border Patrol Station being constructed or rented prior to 1926, it is believed that PIICs would assign Border Patrol Inspectors to work in various cities and towns within their respective sub-districts.
While both Detroit and El Paso have historically claimed to be the first Border Patrol Stations, it is important to note that their uniqueness lies in the cities themselves. El Paso and Detroit were the only cities containing three tiers of Immigration Service hierarchy: district headquarters, sub-district headquarters, and a Border Patrol station. Moreover, during 1926-1927 and 1932-1933, two "Chiefs" led the Border Patrol, one for each border. These Chiefs were stationed not in Washington D.C., but in Detroit and El Paso, adding a fourth level of Immigration Service hierarchy to these locations.
For a comprehensive list of the 1933 USBP locations, including 121 stations (the earliest complete station list found), please refer to this document.
For more information, visit The Great Sector and Station Debate: Myths vs. Facts in Border Patrol History on This Week in USBP History, Vol. 102.
