Coast Guard Intercepts Illegal Migrants Off Southern California Coast
On Tuesday, a Coast Guard crew apprehended a vessel carrying 20 illegal immigrants in the waters off the Southern California shore.
Interception Details
The crew of the Cutter Haddock intercepted a 30-foot panga-style vessel approximately 21 miles off Point Loma. The vessel was initially detected by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations patrol aircraft, which alerted the Coast Guard.
Responding to the alert, a small boat crew from the Haddock approached the vessel and encountered 17 men and three women claiming Mexican and Chinese nationalities. The migrants were subsequently transferred to the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol.
Surge in Maritime Illegal Immigration
While the southern land border has seen increased security measures under the Trump administration, officials have reported a surge in migrants attempting to enter the United States via the ocean, particularly along the California coast.
Steve Knoblock, Mayor of San Clemente, has expressed concerns about the escalating number of pangas arriving on the city’s beaches. He notes that the frequency of such incidents has increased, and interdiction efforts seem to be lacking.
"In the last month or so, we’ve had a large increase in the number of pangas that have come up on our beach," Knoblock stated. "It happens, and nobody seems to notice. No one seems to capture it. There’s no interdiction, and we’ve been having them with much greater frequency."
Knoblock further highlights that while President Trump’s efforts have been effective in securing the land border in San Diego, the maritime route has become a new entry point for illegal migrants from diverse origins.
"President Trump has done a great job of securing the Mexican border in San Diego, but we’re getting people from 150 countries that are coming up by water," Knoblock added. "It’s like the land invasion has been stopped, but the sea invasion is starting."
City’s Response
In response to the influx of illegal migrants arriving by boat, San Clemente is considering partnering with border authorities to install and operate cameras along the coastal waters. These cameras would provide surveillance to detect vessels carrying potential illegal immigrants.
Knoblock believes that such measures are necessary to address the growing maritime illegal immigration problem. "We’re trying to partner with the border patrol to get them to put some cameras in the water so that we can actually see what’s coming in," he said. "Because right now, we’re just not aware of it."
Conclusion
The Coast Guard’s interception of the panga-style vessel off the Southern California coast is a testament to the ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration. While land borders have been strengthened, the maritime route remains a vulnerable entry point.
Local officials, such as Mayor Knoblock of San Clemente, are calling for increased surveillance and interdiction measures to prevent illegal migrants from exploiting the ocean as a means of entry. As the "sea invasion" continues, it remains to be seen whether the authorities will be able to effectively adapt their strategies to address this evolving challenge.
