Coast Guard Sends Dozens of Migrants Packing

U.S. Coast Guard intensifies efforts to intercept migrant vessels near Puerto Rico, repatriating dozens and warning of perilous sea journeys.

At a Glance

Coast Guard repatriated 46 migrants to the Dominican Republic after failed entry attempt.
Multiple operations intercepted overloaded vessels in the Mona Passage.
811 non-U.S. citizens interdicted in 24 voyages from October 2023 to January 2024.
Officials stress dangers of unlawful migration attempts and urge legal pathways.

Continuous Vigilance: Recent Interceptions Near Puerto Rico

The U.S. Coast Guard has maintained a steady presence in the waters surrounding Puerto Rico, intercepting multiple migrant vessels in recent operations. In a significant action, 46 migrants were repatriated to the Dominican Republic following an attempted illegal entry into Puerto Rico. The interception occurred after a U.S. Border Patrol aircraft spotted a suspicious vessel 34 miles off the coast of Aguadilla, leading to the detention of 49 individuals.

In another operation earlier this year, the Coast Guard Cutter Donald Horsley intercepted an overloaded vessel in the Mona Passage, resulting in the repatriation of 28 migrants to the Dominican Republic. Notably, one of the individuals had an outstanding warrant for homicide in their home country.

#Breaking @USCG returned 47 migrants to Dominican Republic between Thursday and Sunday, following the interdiction of three unlawful migration voyages in Mona Passage waters near Puerto Rico.

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) October 29, 2024

Ongoing Challenge: Multiple Interceptions in a Week

The Coast Guard’s efforts to manage migration at sea have been relentless. In just one week, cutters intercepted dozens of migrants in three separate operations off Puerto Rico’s coast. The most recent of these involved a boat near Mona Island carrying 27 migrants from Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Another operation south of Mona Island stopped a 25-foot vessel with 23 Dominican Republic nationals, four of whom were taken into custody for prosecution.

“The daily work accomplished by our watchstanders and responding Coast Guard and partner agency units is instrumental to stopping unlawful migration voyages at sea and removing migrants from a very dangerous environment.” – Coast Guard Commander Matthew Roman

These interceptions underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the Coast Guard in managing maritime migration attempts. From October 2023 to January 2024, the agency interdicted 24 unlawful migration voyages in the Mona Passage alone, involving 811 non-U.S. citizens.

Dangers at Sea: Coast Guard Warnings

Coast Guard officials consistently emphasize the extreme risks associated with these migration attempts. Commander Gerard Wenk highlighted the perilous conditions migrants face, stating, “Unlawful irregular migration voyages most often take place aboard grossly overloaded makeshift vessels with no lifesaving equipment.”

“These voyages are extremely unsafe, most often occurring aboard makeshift and unseaworthy vessels that take on water and have no lifesaving equipment onboard. By taking to the sea in one of these voyages you will be putting your life and the lives of others at risk. Instead, seek safe and lawful migration pathways.” – Cmdr. Matthew Romano

The Coast Guard’s message is clear: these sea journeys pose severe risks to life and should be avoided at all costs. They urge individuals to pursue legal immigration pathways instead of risking their lives on dangerous maritime ventures.

Collaborative Efforts and Future Outlook

The Coast Guard’s operations are part of a broader collaborative effort involving multiple agencies. Customs and Border Protection aircraft play a crucial role in spotting suspicious vessels, as evidenced by the interception of an overloaded makeshift vessel 62 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

As migration attempts continue, the Coast Guard remains committed to its mission of preventing unlawful and dangerous maritime ventures. The agency’s efforts not only aim to enforce immigration laws but also to save lives by deterring these risky sea crossings.