The United States Coast Guard on Friday said the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon recently rescued 11 Haitian migrants who were left stranded by smugglers on the uninhabited natural reserve of Monito Island, Puerto Rico, in the Mona Passage.
“Deterring dangerous and irregular migration to the United States by sea is both a matter of ensuring U.S. border security and a lifesaving mission for those who take to the sea without understanding the hazards and perils of this journey,” said Lieutenant Peter Diamontopulos, Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon commanding officer.
“I am extremely proud of my crew’s ability to rescue all 11 migrants from a highly dangerous environment with no food or water and exposure to the elements,” he added. “The risk to life is not worth it; taking to the sea is never the answer. Seek legal migration pathways.”
The U.S. Coast Guard said watch standers in San Juan, Puerto Rico, received a communication from the crew of the fishing vessel Likeo, reporting a group of people in orange shirts who appeared to be stranded on the rocky cliffs of Monito Island.
Watch standers directed the launch of a Coast Guard helicopter and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon to confirm the report and provide rescue assistance, the US Coast Guard said.
It said the Coast Guard aircrew sighted the group on Monito and vectored in the Cutter Richard Dixon to their location.
Once on scene, the U.S. Coast Guard said favorable sea state conditions allowed the cutter to safely approach Monito Island.
The US Coast Guard said the crew provided life jackets to the group of six men and five women, who claimed to be Haitian nationals.
“The Coast Guard boat crew provided instructions to each migrant to hold onto a life ring while wearing a life jacket and jump into the water,” the US Coast Guard said. “Once in the water, the Coast Guard boat crew safely recovered each migrant and transferred them to the Cutter Richard Dixon.”
All 11 migrants were transferred to Ramey Sector U.S. Border Patrol agents in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
“Migrants who are interdicted at sea or apprehended ashore will not be allowed to stay in the United States or a US territory,” the US Coast Guard said. “Furthermore, anyone who arrives unlawfully may be declared ineligible for legal immigration parole options and be repatriated to their country of origin or returned to the country of departure.”
