Haitian migrants enter the water after their vessel capsized off Ocean Reef, Florida, Aug. 6, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Islamorada’s crew)
MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Forward’s crew repatriated 186 Haitians to Cap-Haitien, Haiti, Tuesday, following an interdiction near Ocean Reef.
A Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders, Saturday, at approximately 1:20 p.m., of a grossly overloaded sailing vessel with men, women and children aboard.
The vessel ran aground and multiple people jumped into the water without lifejackets. U.S. Border Patrol members on shore took custody of 113 Haitians.
Homeland Security Investigations and its partners are investigating two suspected smugglers who were taken into custody.
“We ask family members in the U.S. to not send money to their loved ones trying to illegally migrate,” said Lt. Cmdr. Sean Newmeyer, Coast Guard District Seven. “Paying smugglers puts your loved ones at unnecessary risk for loss of life.”
Since Oct, 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews have interdicted 6,812 Haitian migrants compared to:
- 1,527 Haitian Migrants in Fiscal Year 2021
- 418 Haitian Migrants in Fiscal Year 2020
- 932 Haitian Migrants in Fiscal Year 2019
- 609 Haitian Migrants in Fiscal Year 2018
- 419 Haitian Migrants in Fiscal Year 2017
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.
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