MIAMI / HAITI – Coast Guard Cutter Seneca’s crew repatriated 99 aliens to Haiti, Tuesday, following a maritime interdiction approximately 35 miles north of Cap-Haitien, Haiti.
A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrew notified Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders, Thursday, of an approximate 35-foot overloaded vessel transiting north toward the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“The Coast Guard remains steadfast in our defense of the US maritime borders and approaches with patrols in the Florida Straits, Windward and Mona Passages to interdict unlawful maritime migration attempts before they reach our shores,” said Lt. Cmdr. Brent Pearson, Coast Guard liaison officer to US Embassy Port-au-Prince. “Attempting illegal migration in overloaded, unsafe vessels with no safety equipment is extremely dangerous and puts you and your loved one’s lives at risk. Don’t take to the sea just to be sent back.”
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, aliens are processed to determine their identity and are provided food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before repatriation to their country of origin or return to the country of their departure.
The Coast Guard, along with its Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast partners, maintains a continual presence with air, land, and sea assets in the Florida Straits, the Windward Passage, the Mona Passage, and the Caribbean Sea in support of Operation Vigilant Sentry. The HSTF-SE combined, multi-layered approach is designed to protect the safety of life at sea while preventing unlawful maritime entry to the United States and its territories.
Anyone attempting to enter the United States illegally by sea will be interdicted and repatriated, consistent with US law and policy.
Since the beginning of fiscal year October 1, 2025, Coast Guard crews have repatriated a total of 412 aliens to Haiti, compared to 857 aliens repatriated to Haiti in FY24.
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