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The increase in unauthorized immigration by sea under the Biden administration has presented unique challenges for law enforcement, as per a border security expert.
Maritime unauthorized immigration, involving the use of boats to enter the U.S. illegally, has surged during the Biden administration due to political and economic crises in Haiti and Cuba, according to the Migration Policy Institute. In February 2023, the U.S. Naval Institute reported that operations to intercept illegal immigrants were in a critical state due to societal unrest in Caribbean nations.
Illegal immigrants also attempt to cross the U.S.-Mexico border by sea in California.
On July 12, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted three individuals trying to enter the U.S. illegally by boat at Imperial Beach in San Diego County, California. Among them, two claimed to be Mexican while one claimed to be Turkish.
Earlier in January, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a boat carrying 21 illegal immigrants heading towards San Diego. Coast Guard and Border Protection officials detained the individuals, who hailed from various countries.
“They don’t want anyone to drown and die trying to cross into the U.S. illegally…”
The Coast Guard, in a press release, stated, “Initial interviews revealed that all individuals claimed Mexican nationality, although subsequent checks identified two passengers as Guatemalan and Salvadoran nationals.”
California is not the only state dealing with maritime incursions. In February, the Coast Guard intercepted 132 Haitians on a boat south of the Florida Keys. The individuals were processed and later repatriated to Haiti.
Simon Hankinson, a senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, emphasized the unique risks these situations pose for law enforcement officials. Safety is a top priority for the Coast Guard in addressing these challenges.
Hankinson also highlighted the need to learn from the situation in the United Kingdom, where a significant increase in unauthorized crossings has been observed. This serves as a cautionary tale for the U.S. to address the issue effectively.
