MIAMI – The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos repatriated 46 migrants to the Dominican Republic, Wednesday, following the interdiction of an irregular, unlawful migration voyage, approximately 34 miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircrew from the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch notified Coast Guard Sector San Juan watchstanders of a suspected migrant vessel spotted northwest of Aguadilla. The crews of Coast Guard Cutters Heriberto Hernandez and Richard Dixon, a CBP Air and Marine Operations boat crew, a Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA) boat crew and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft crew from Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen were diverted to respond.
The Richard Dixon crew embarked 49 migrants from the overloaded vessel, and they were later transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos. Three migrants were transferred to CBP custody ashore for potential criminal prosecution, and the remaining 46 migrants were transferred to the custody of the Dominican Republic Navy for repatriation, Wednesday.
“I am continually impressed by the professionalism and dedication of our Coast Guard crews and partners to collectively ensure the safe interdiction and repatriation of migrants attempting to enter the U.S. unlawfully,” said Lt. Kali Carmine, commanding officer of Cutter Joseph Tezanos. “The Joseph Tezanos crew and supporting units remain ready and responsive to whatever mission we face, including the safe return of 46 migrants to the Dominican Republic.”
Migrants who are interdicted at sea or apprehended ashore will not be allowed to stay in the United States or a U.S. territory. Furthermore, anyone who arrives unlawfully may be declared ineligible for legal immigration parole options and be repatriated to their country of origin or returned to the country of departure.
“The Coast Guard remains vested in our U.S. border security mission to prevent unlawful migration attempts and to preserve safety of life at sea,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Diana Sherbs, Seventh Coast Guard District public affairs specialist. “These voyages are illegal and unsafe, and we urge anyone thinking of taking part in these types of voyages to instead pursue the safe, lawful pathways available for migration – do not take to the sea.”
The Coast Guard, along with its Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast partners, maintains a continual presence with air, land, and sea assets in the Florida Straits, the Windward Passage, the Mona Passage, and the Caribbean Sea in support of Operation Vigilant Sentry. The HSTF-SE combined, multi-layered approach is designed to protect the safety of life at sea while preventing unlawful maritime entry to the United States and its territories.
For more information about Operation Vigilant Sentry including imagery, visit these links:
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