With land routes tightening, illegal migrants are now targeting U.S. shores. The Coast Guard has tripled patrols, intercepting 260 smuggling boats this year alone. California remains a hotspot, while Florida’s crackdown deters most attempts. Despite Biden’s weak border policies, the Coast Guard is stepping up with added aircraft, boats, and manpower.
Coast Guard Triples Border Presence
The U.S. Coast Guard has significantly increased its efforts to combat human smuggling along America’s maritime borders. “We’ve essentially tripled the amount of Coast Guard assets on the southern border,” said Peter Nelson, Officer in Charge of Coast Guard Station San Diego.
This dramatic increase has occurred within just the last two months, reflecting a rapid response to evolving smuggling tactics. While illegal crossings at the southern land border have plummeted to around 7,000 migrant encounters in March, maritime smuggling attempts remain stubbornly high.
California Faces Surge While Florida Deters
California continues to be a primary target for maritime smugglers due to its sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The state’s welcoming stance toward illegal immigrants creates an attractive destination for human traffickers who exploit these policies.
In stark contrast, Florida has experienced a significant drop in maritime smuggling attempts thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis’s strong border policies. A recent operation by Air and Marine Operations off the Florida coast demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated enforcement when they intercepted 24 illegal aliens, including 21 Chinese nationals, aboard suspicious vessels.
Enhanced Interdiction Capabilities
The Coast Guard has deployed additional helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and fast-moving boats to aid in their expanded mission. They’re also working closely with other federal agencies including Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Navy, which now carries Coast Guard law enforcement teams to ensure proper authority during interdictions.
“We have additional helicopters and fix-wing aircraft as well as working with partner agencies such as Customs and Border Protection that is flying more flights giving us air cover,” Nelson explained. “The U.S. Navy has a vessel that has a Coast Guard law enforcement team on board right now helping us secure the border as well.”
The Coast Guard strongly warns against attempting dangerous sea crossings, emphasizing the life-threatening risks. “Do not take to the sea. You could lose your life. We remain steadfast in our commitment to saving lives and discouraging anyone from taking to the sea in ways that are unsafe and illegal,” the Coast Guard stated in a recent warning.
Sources:
US Coast Guard ‘tripled’ personnel to prevent maritime human smuggling | Border Report