Two United States Coast Guard vessels intercepted a 20-foot cabin-style boat carrying 15 suspected illegal immigrants off the coast of San Diego early Wednesday morning. According to a statement from the Coast Guard, the vessel was identified around 10 miles northwest of Point Loma at approximately 4:30 a.m. The group consisted of 11 adult men and 4 adult women, all of whom claimed to be Mexican nationals. The suspected illegal immigrants were taken into custody and subsequently transferred to U.S. Border Patrol agents for processing.
This incident comes as part of a broader enforcement initiative by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which recently concluded a major operation in Florida.
An extensive immigration enforcement campaign dubbed “Operation Tidal Wave,” led by ICE’s Miami office and collaborating Florida law enforcement agencies, resulted in the arrest of over 1,100 individuals in just one week. Among those apprehended within the first four days were a convicted Colombian murderer, alleged members of gangs MS-13 and the 18th Street gang, and a Russian national with an Interstellar wildlife traffic organization warrant linked to manslaughter.
ICE emphasized this operation’s significance in combating organized gangs and criminal elements, including Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and the 18th Street gang. Of the total arrests, a staggering 1,300 individuals were suspected or convicted of sexual offenses, approximately 498 were connected to homicide cases, and over 2,200 were suspected gang members.
These figures reflect increased immigration enforcement actions during the first 100 days of the administration’s second term, which tallied more than 66,000 arrests and 65,000 deportations.
ICE Acting Deputy Director MADISON SHEAHAN stated emphatically that illegal entry constitutes a criminal act. At a press conference Thursday, SHEAHAN declared, “If you enter this country illegally, you are a criminal. You will be deported.” She reiterated the agency’s unwavering commitment to ensuring public safety by removing dangerous individuals who should never have gained entry into the United States.
Sources: [United Guardians Coast Guard Bulletin]
[ICE National Compliance Report]