Ramey Sector U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehend 42 migrant aliens
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk aircrew, U.S. Border Patrol, CG Base Borinquen personnel and local agency responders medevacked five migrant aliens following an unlawful migration voyage vessel landing at Survival Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Wednesday.
Ramey Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended 42 aliens, including 33 Dominican Republic nationals, eight Haitian and one Ecuadorian. The five migrants who required medical assistance were transported to a local hospital by Emergency Medical Services personnel at the scene.
Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan received a communication from Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action of a 30-foot vessel approaching the Aguadilla shoreline Wednesday morning. Due to the risks associated with the overloaded makeshift vessel approaching the rocky shoreline, a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk aircrew was launched to provide rescue support as Ramey Sector U.S. Border Patrol agents, CG Base Borinquen, Puerto Rico Police and local emergency responders deployed to the scene.
Following landfall, Border Patrol agents confirmed that all passengers were able to disembark the vessel and that there were no people in the water. As a result of the difficult mountainous and rocky terrain, Border Patrol agents requested medevac assistance for two migrants who were unresponsive and one other who sustained a leg injury.
The Coast Guard aircrew lowered their rescue swimmer to the beach area who worked with Border Patrol agents to prepare a rescue litter and hoist one of the unresponsive migrants aboard the aircraft. Following the hoist, the aircrew transferred the patient to Emergency Medical Service Personnel at the scene. Ramey Sector Border Patrol Agents, CG Base Borinquen, local municipal emergency responders and emergency medical service personnel recovered the remaining migrants who required medical assistance.
“This mission was a testament to the training, coordination, and dedication of our entire crew and our partner agencies,” said Lt. Ryan Marshall. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircraft commander of the case. “We commend the professionalism of our aircraft mechanic and our rescue swimmer in the successful execution of a difficult cliff side hoist, which led to the rescue of a man in critical condition. I am incredibly proud of our team working alongside Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol, Puerto Rico Police, Aguadilla Air Traffic Control, and all other local agency responders to ensure this operation resulted in multiple lives saved.”
“We are grateful for the swift response and teamwork demonstrated by our Border Patrol agents, the United States Coast Guard, Puerto Rico Police, and local emergency responders during this challenging event,” stated Reggie Johnson, Chief Patrol Agent for Ramey Sector. “The safety and well-being of every individual involved is always our top priority, and today’s actions reflect the dedication and professionalism of all agencies working together. Our agents remain committed to protecting our borders and ensuring that those in need receive immediate medical attention. We thank our partners for their outstanding coordination, which was instrumental in saving lives and preventing further harm.”
The United States Coast Guard, along with its Operation Vigilant Sentry partners, maintains a continued presence with air, land, and sea assets in the Florida Straits, the Windward Passage, the Mona Passage, and the Caribbean Sea. Operation Vigilant Sentry’s 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 the latest information on the grounding and response efforts, follow Sector San Juan.
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