By Tiffany Williams –
On a recent mission from Haiti to the United States, a total of 182 individuals were found aboard a dangerously overloaded makeshift vessel by a Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations multi-purpose aircraft aircrew. Upon detection, the aircrew promptly alerted the Coast Guard, which promptly responded and successfully located the vessel south of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Following the intervention, the Coast Guard confirmed that all 182 individuals were safely repatriated to Haiti. Lt. Thomas Pease, a Coast Guard Seventh District enforcement officer, emphasized the Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment, stating, “Hurricane Helene will not interfere with the Coast Guard’s ability to detect and interdict unlawful maritime migration attempts.”
The Coast Guard’s protocol ensures that anyone involved in unlawful maritime migration is promptly rescued and repatriated to their respective country of origin or departure. Upon boarding a Coast Guard cutter, migrants undergo a thorough processing to establish their identities and are provided with essential provisions, including food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention, before being repatriated to their home country or returned to the country from which they departed.
It’s worth noting that since October 1, 2023, the Coast Guard has successfully repatriated a total of 857 migrants to Haiti.