Coast Guard Interdicts More than 50 Migrants During Fourth of July Weekend

MIAMI — The
Coast Guard interdicted more than 50 migrants during the Fourth of July Weekend
from two separate at-sea interdictions, the Coast Guard 7th District said in a
July 8 release.

On July 3,
watchstanders with Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville received notification from a
good Samaritan vessel, Bochem London, of a disabled vessel with more than 20
people aboard about 130 miles northeast of Jacksonville, Florida. The crew of
the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca (WMEC-906) was diverted to the scene and
interdicted 22 Haitian migrants — 17 males, four females and one child — due to
safety concerns with the vessel.

On July 6,
watchstanders with Coast Guard Sector Key West received notification from a
good Samaritan vessel stating there was a 24-foot wooden rustic vessel with
more than 30 people aboard about 27 miles south of Key West, Florida. The crew
of the Coast Guard Cutter William Trump (WPC-1111) was diverted and interdicted
33 Cuban migrants — 27 males and six females — due to safety concerns with the
vessels.

“The Coast
Guard continues to maintain a focused and coordinated effort with multiple
agency assets to interdict any attempt to dangerously and unlawfully immigrate
by sea to the United States,” said Cmdr. Michael Vega, of the Coast Guard’s 7th
District enforcement branch. “Those who are interdicted at sea attempting to
illegally immigrate will be repatriated to their country in accordance with
existing U.S. immigration policy.”

A total of
3,027 Haitian migrants have attempted to illegally enter the U.S. via the
maritime environment in fiscal year 2019 compared to 2,727 Haitian migrants in
fiscal year 2018. These numbers represent the total number of at-sea
interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean
and the Atlantic. 

A total of 394 Cuban
migrants have attempted to illegally enter the U.S. via the maritime
environment in fiscal year 2019, which began on Oct. 1, compared to 384 Cuban migrants
in fiscal year 2018.