The United States Coast Guard (USCG) announced on Friday that it has relocated 19 migrants of various nationalities to the Bahamas following the interception of two unauthorized migration attempts. These operations were conducted in collaboration with security teams from the Southeast Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF Southeast), as stated by the USCG in a social media update.
Under the hashtag #DontTakeToTheSea, the Coast Guard reiterated its warning against undertaking perilous and illegal sea voyages, which often endanger the lives of migrants. The agency also highlighted its collaboration with entities such as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI Miami) and the U.S. Embassy in Cuba to address unlawful migration in the region.
U.S. authorities have ramped up efforts to prevent maritime migration attempts, which frequently involve unsafe vessels and hazardous routes. These measures aim to deter individuals from embarking on illegal journeys that often result in repatriations or transfers to third countries like the Bahamas.
Efforts to Curb Dangerous Sea Crossings
While the nationalities of the migrants were not specified, it is presumed that most are Cuban. The U.S. government reaffirmed its strict stance on immigration laws on Thursday, warning that there will be no immediate changes following the November 5 elections.
In a message posted by the U.S. Embassy in Havana on platform X, directed at those attempting to enter the country unlawfully, authorities stressed that individuals crossing illegally between ports of entry will be swiftly expelled.
Recent Repatriations Highlight Migration Challenges
On Tuesday, a group of 24 Cuban migrants, including a woman, was deported from the United States on a flight arriving at Havana's José Martí International Airport, according to Cuba's Ministry of the Interior (MININT). The day prior, the Coast Guard returned four more migrants via the port of Orozco in Bahía Honda, Artemisa.
These actions underscore the ongoing challenges and responses related to irregular Cuban migration and the U.S. Coast Guard's role in addressing these issues.