Coast Guard Repatriates 300+ Migrants in Operations Near Bahamas and Haiti

Coast Guard Repatriates 300+ Migrants in Operations Near Bahamas and Haiti

The United States Coast Guard has undertaken extensive operations near the Bahamas and Haiti, resulting in the repatriation of over 300 migrants attempting to enter the United States illegally. During the ongoing efforts, the Coast Guard intercepted several overloaded and unsafe vessels carrying Haitian and Cuban nationals in the waters off the Bahamas and Haiti. The migrants were apprehended after being found adrift or in distress. “We remain committed to interdicting unsafe and illegal voyages, and we will continue to patrol the maritime borders of the United States,” said Capt. Jason Ryan, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Southeast. The repatriations were conducted in coordination with the Haitian and Bahamian governments, as well as international partners. The migrants were provided with food, water, and medical attention before being transferred to Haitian and Bahamian authorities for further processing. The Coast Guard emphasized the dangers associated with illegal migration and the risks posed by attempting to cross the ocean in unseaworthy vessels. The agency urged individuals to pursue legal and safe pathways to enter the United States. “These operations demonstrate our unwavering commitment to protecting lives and securing our borders,” said Rear Adm. Brendan McPherson, commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District. “We will continue to work closely with our partners to prevent dangerous and potentially deadly ventures.” The Coast Guard’s operations in the region are part of its ongoing efforts to combat human smuggling and illegal migration, while also protecting the maritime environment and ensuring the safety of mariners.US Coast Guard Repatriates Over 300 Migrants to Bahamas and Haiti

US Coast Guard Repatriates Over 300 Migrants to Bahamas and Haiti

The U.S. Coast Guard has repatriated a total of 305 migrants to the Bahamas and Haiti following multiple interceptions of illegal migration attempts. As part of Operation Vigilant Sentry, Coast Guard cutters intercepted two groups of migrants: one near Anguilla Cay in the Bahamas and another near Cap-Haïtien and Île de la Tortue in Haiti. “The Coast Guard urges all potential migrants considering the journey: do not go out to sea and risk your life just to be turned back. Use the safe, orderly, and legal routes available, such as the CHNV process,” said Lt. Nick Fujimoto, Coast Guard District Seven enforcement officer. On Sunday, 109 migrants were transferred to the Royal Bahamas Defense Force after Coast Guard aircrews notified Sector watchstanders in Key West of a migrant operation near Anguilla Cay. On Monday, 196 migrants were transported to Haiti following two migrant trips on June 5 and 6. Aircrews again notified USCG watchstanders of these attempts. The USCG provides essential supplies and medical care to migrants before returning them to their home countries or the port from which they departed.The Coast Guard is repatriating more than 300 migrants to Haiti and the Dominican Republic following interdictions near the Bahamas and Haiti. The Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk repatriated 202 Haitian migrants to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, and the Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark repatriated 105 Dominican Republic migrants to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. During a routine patrol, the crew of the Cutter Mohawk interdicted an overloaded 40-foot sailboat with 208 migrants on board off the coast of Great Inagua, Bahamas. The migrants were in distress and several were suffering from dehydration and exhaustion. The crew of the Mohawk provided medical assistance and transferred the migrants to their cutter for safety. The crew of the Cutter Paul Clark interdicted a 25-foot wooden sail freighter with 105 migrants on board north of the coast of the Dominican Republic. The migrants were attempting to illegally enter the United States. The crew of the Paul Clark provided food and water to the migrants and transferred them to their cutter. The repatriations are part of the Coast Guard’s ongoing efforts to deter illegal migration and promote safety of life at sea in the Caribbean Sea.