MIAMI – Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba's crew repatriated 132 aliens to Haiti, Monday, following a maritime interdiction approximately 50 miles southeast of Marathon.
A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew based out of Jacksonville and a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 aircrew notified Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders, Tuesday, of a 30-foot overloaded sailing vessel transiting northwest between Cuba and Cay Sal Bank.
“The Coast Guard will continue to prioritize strengthening our domestic integrity and disrupting attempts to enter the United States illegally by sea,” said Lt. Zane Carter, a Coast Guard District Seven enforcement officer. “We are steadfast in our mission to safeguard America by securing our maritime borders.”
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, aliens are processed to determine their identity and are provided food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before repatriation to their country of origin or return to the country of their departure.
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.
Anyone attempting to enter the United States illegally by sea will be interdicted and repatriated, consistent with U.S. law and policy.
Since the beginning of fiscal year 2025, on Oct. 1, Coast Guard crews have repatriated a total of 313 aliens to Haiti, compared to 857 aliens to Haiti in FY24.
To learn more about the OVS mission, watch these videos:
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