The U.S. Coast Guard has repatriated 132 Haitian migrants after intercepting their overcrowded vessel southeast of the Florida Keys earlier this month.
According to officials, the Coast Guard cutter Escanaba stopped the 30-foot vessel approximately 50 miles southeast of Marathon, Florida, during the first week of Florida. The interception came after aircrews from Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, along with Coast Guard Air Station Miami, spotted the boat attempting to enter U.S. waters illegally.
“The Coast Guard will continue to prioritize strengthening our domestic integrity and disrupting attempts to enter the United States illegally by sea,” said Lt. Zane Carter, enforcement officer for Coast Guard District Seven. “We are steadfast in our mission to safeguard America by securing our maritime borders.”
Once intercepted, the migrants were processed to confirm their nationality and provided with food, water, shelter, and medical attention before being repatriated to Haiti, following standard procedure.
Since the start of the 2025 fiscal year on October 1, 2024, the Coast Guard has repatriated 313 Haitian migrants, reinforcing its stance against illegal maritime entry.
In a statement, the Coast Guard emphasized that “anyone attempting to enter the United States illegally by sea will be interdicted and repatriated, consistent with U.S. law and policy.”
The Coast Guard works closely with the Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast under Operation Vigilant Sentry, maintaining a strong presence in the Florida Straits, the Windward Passage, the Mona Passage, and the broader Caribbean region. The initiative aims to protect lives at sea while preventing unauthorized entry into U.S. territories.
The interception of the Haitian nationals is the second such incident this month. On Friday, some 31 migrants of various nationalities, including Jamaicans, were repatriated to The Bahamas after intercepting three separate illegal maritime ventures east of Miami.
The Coast Guard has surged its assets in key maritime zones, following executive orders issued by the White House on January 21. Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday announced an increase in patrols, stating that the agency is intensifying efforts to deter illegal activities and maritime migration from Haiti and Cuba.
“The U.S. Coast Guard is the world’s premier maritime law enforcement agency, vital to protecting America’s maritime borders, territorial integrity, and sovereignty,” Adm. Lunday said. “Per the President’s Executive Orders, I have directed my operational commanders to immediately surge cutters, aircraft, boats, and deployable specialized forces.”
