A U.S. Coast Guard crew stopped a vessel carrying 25 people about a mile south of Key Biscayne, Florida, after the boat refused to halt during a maritime interdiction.
The June 10 encounter involved a crew from Coast Guard Station Miami Beach, which approached the vessel and ordered it to stop, according to a statement released by DHS on June 17. When warning shots failed to bring the boat to a halt, the crew used disabling fire to stop it. No injuries were reported.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations responded to assist after the interdiction. Special agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations also responded and opened a criminal investigation. All 25 people aboard claimed Chinese nationality, DHS said.
The individuals were taken aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell for further processing. The vessel was seized and towed to Station Miami Beach, and the case remains under investigation.
“Last week, a Coast Guard crew out of Station Miami Beach encountered a vessel with 25 Chinese aliens attempting to illegally enter the United States,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “This sends a clear message to illegal aliens attempting to enter the United States: don’t even think about it. By land or sea, our borders are CLOSED.”
Lieutenant Matthew Ross, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Miami Beach, said crews continue to coordinate with local, state, and federal maritime partners.
“Our Coast Guard crews, working closely with our local, state, and federal maritime law enforcement partners, remain vigilant in detecting and deterring unlawful maritime migration ventures,” Ross said. “Anyone considering one of these dangerous voyages should understand that they are risking their lives at sea and can expect to be interdicted and repatriated.”
According to DHS, the Coast Guard and its Operation Vigilant Sentry partners maintain a continuous presence with air, land, and maritime assets across the Florida Straits, Windward Passage, Mona Passage, and Caribbean Sea. The operation uses a layered approach to protect life at sea and deter unlawful maritime migration to the United States and its territories.
