The U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 132 Haitian nationals to Port-au-Prince on Monday following the interdiction of an overloaded vessel in the Florida Straits, marking the latest enforcement action under Operation Vigilant Sentry, a multi-agency effort to curb illegal maritime migration.
Interdiction and Repatriation
The 30-foot sailboat, carrying 132 individuals, was spotted approximately 50 miles southeast of Marathon, Florida, on Tuesday by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations crew and a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba intercepted the vessel, transferring those aboard for processing. Migrants were provided food, water, shelter, and basic medical care before repatriation, per standard protocols.
“The Coast Guard remains unwavering in securing our maritime borders and disrupting unlawful entry attempts,” said Lt. Zane Carter, a Coast Guard District Seven enforcement officer. “Our mission is to protect both national security and the lives of those risking dangerous sea voyages.”
Broader Enforcement Context
The operation reflects heightened vigilance by Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast (HSTF-SE), which coordinates air, land, and sea assets across strategic transit zones, including the Florida Straits, Windward Passage, and Caribbean Sea. Fiscal year 2025, which began Oct. 1, has seen 313 Haitian migrants repatriated so far—a decline from 857 in FY24, though officials caution that migration trends remain volatile amid Haiti’s ongoing political and humanitarian crisis.
Policy and Challenges
U.S. policy mandates the interdiction and repatriation of migrants attempting unauthorized entry by sea, a stance reinforced under both current and prior administrations. However, advocates criticize the approach, arguing that returning individuals to Haiti—grappling with gang violence, economic collapse, and cholera outbreaks—ignores urgent protection needs.
The Coast Guard emphasized that its operations prioritize safety while enforcing immigration laws. “These voyages are inherently deadly,” a spokesperson said, referencing past tragedies, including a January 2023 capsizing off the Bahamas that killed 17 Haitian migrants.
As regional instability drives migration, the U.S. continues to balance border enforcement with diplomatic efforts to address root causes. For now, the message to potential migrants remains clear: “Anyone attempting illegal entry by sea will be interdicted and repatriated,” the Coast Guard stated.
