136 Illegal Caribbean Migrants Intercepted At Sea

United States Coast Guard crews repatriated 136 illegal Caribbean migrants to the Dominican Republic between May 21 and May 27, 2024. The repatriation followed three separate interdictions near Puerto Rico. The illegal migrants, Dominican Republic and Haitian nationals, were in ‘grossly overloaded’ makeshift vessels, according to the Coast Guard. Coast Guard Sector San Juan chief of enforcement Lt. Cmdr. Edward Kunigonis said, “We urge anyone thinking of taking part in these voyages not to take to the sea. Most often, migrants don’t realize how truly dangerous these voyages can be or that they will fall victim until it is too late.” The Coast Guard has emphasized that migrants who are interdicted at sea or apprehended ashore will not be allowed to stay in the United States or a U.S. territory. Since October 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024, the Coast Guard has carried out 35 unlawful irregular migration voyage interdictions in the Mona Passage and waters near Puerto Rico. Interdicted during the period were 1,199 non-U.S. citizens, including 1,141 Dominican Republic nationals and 57 Haitians. The article 136 Illegal Caribbean Migrants Intercepted At Sea is from St. Lucia Times.