Coast Guard transfers 275 migrants to Bahamas

Coast Guard transfers 275 people to Bahamas

Surveillance of a Haitian sail freighter approximately 26 miles east of Punta de Maisi, Cuba, July 16, 2023. All people aboard were transferred to Bahamas, July 17, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

MIAMI – Coast Guard crews transferred 275 people to Bahamian authorities, Monday, following the interdiction of a migrant vessel in Bahamian waters. 

The Coast Guard and its Homeland Security Task Force - Southeast partners will continue to maintain presence in the air and at sea to detect and deter migrants who attempt to unlawfully enter the U.S. 

"Those attempting to illegally migrate to the U.S. in an overloaded, unsafe vessel are putting themselves and their loved ones in extreme danger," said Lt. Cmdr. Matt Spado, Coast Guard liaison officer to the Bahamas. "The Coast Guard and our partners are committed to stopping anyone who attempts an unlawful and unsafe voyage at sea." 

Since Oct. 1, 2022, Coast Guard crews interdicted or encountered 5,089 Haitian migrants. Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before expeditious repatriation to their country of origin or transfer to their country of departure. 

For more information, follow these links:  

• DHS and DOJ Finalize Rule to Incentivize Use of Lawful Immigration Pathways | Homeland Security 
• Fact Sheet: Additional Sweeping Measures to Humanely Manage Border | Homeland Security (dhs.gov) 
• Fact Sheet: U.S. Government Announces Sweeping New Actions to Manage Regional Migration | Homeland Security (dhs.gov) 
• Federal Register :: Implementation of a Change to the Parole Process for Cubans 

• Federal Register :: Implementation of a Change to the Parole Process for Haitians                                                                                                            

Editor's Note:

All Coast Guard Southeast imagery can be found on Dvids, here.

All Coast Guard migration imagery can be found on Dvids, here.

Family members in the United States inquiring about possible family members interdicted at sea, please contact your local federal U.S. representative.   

Para personas que residen en los EE.UU. buscando información sobre un familiar posiblemente interceptado por la Guardia Costera, por favor comuníquese con la oficina de su congresista o representante del Senado, local.

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-USCG-