US Coast Guard return 92 migrants to The Bahamas, Cuba following multiple task force interdictions

The United States Coast Guard on Friday said that crews from two of its cutters have repatriated 92 migrants to The Bahamas and Cuba following unlawful, irregular migration attempts over the last weekend.

The crew of the US Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo transferred 40 people to The Bahamas, following two interdictions of migration attempts on April 19.

The first of the two interdictions occurred Friday morning when watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Miami received notification from Border Patrol and CBP Air and Marine Operations crews that police were on-scene with a migrant venture in Biscayne Bay, the US Coast Guard said.

It said the second interdiction occurred Friday night when watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Key West received notification from Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations crews of a migrant venture south of Key Largo, Florida.

Likewise, the crew of US Coast Guard Cutter William Trump repatriated 52 people to Cuba, following two migration attempts on April 19 and April 21.

The first of the two interdictions occurred Friday morning when watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Key West received notification from Monroe County Sheriff’s Office of a migrant venture south of Boot Key, the US Coast Guard said.

Meanwhile, it said the second interdiction occurred Sunday night when watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Key West received notification from US Coast Guard Cutter Willow of a migrant venture south of Marathon, Florida.

“These unlawful voyages are extremely dangerous and can often result in the loss of life,” said Coast Guard Seventh District Enforcement Officer, Lieutenant Zane Carter. “The Coast Guard continues to work daily with our local and federal partners to stop illegal maritime migration voyages and to preserve the safety of life at sea.”

The US Coast Guard said it and its Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast partners will “continue to be a presence in the air and on the waters to detect and deter migrants from attempting to unlawfully enter the US by sea”.

“Anyone attempting to unlawfully enter the United States by sea will be rescued and repatriated to their country of origin or departure, and anyone who arrives in the US unlawfully by sea will be processed for removal and returned to their country of origin or departure,” it warned.

SOURCE: CMC