Coast Guard interdicts 8 migrants off Fort Pierce

MIAMI – The Coast Guard interdicted eight undocumented migrants 20 miles east of Fort Pierce, Fla., Friday.

A Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce smallboat crew responded to a report of a vessel taking on water 20 miles east of Fort Pierce. Once on scene with the 24-foot vessel, they confirmed the vessel was not sinking but had no fuel and lost steering.

Aboard the vessel were nine persons – two Jamaican males, three Bahamian males, one Bahamian female, two Bahamian infants and one U.S. citizen. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Bluefin was dispatched to embark the nine persons.

Due to a medical issue, the U.S. citizen was brought ashore to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and awaiting EMS Saturday.

The eight undocumented migrants were brought ashore and turned over to Customs and Border Protection officials in Lake Worth, Fla., Sunday.

Once aboard all Coast Guard cutters, migrants are given food, water and basic medical attention.

For information about how to legally immigrate to the United States, call U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at 1-800-375-5283 or visit USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.

The Bluefin is an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in Fort Pierce.


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