The U.S. Department of Homeland Security interdicted 25 Chinese nationals attempting to enter the country illegally on June 10.
“Last week, a Coast Guard crew out of Station Miami Beach encountered a vessel with 25 Chinese aliens attempting to illegally enter the United States,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a press release on Wednesday. “This sends a clear message to illegal aliens attempting to enter the United States: don’t even think about it. By land or sea, our borders are CLOSED.”
A crew out of Coast Guard Station Miami Beach approached a vessel about a mile south of Key Biscayne that failed to comply with orders to stop on June 10. The Coast Guard then fired warning shots at the vessel, but the ship still refused to comply with the orders. The crew was then forced to fire on the vessel, which disabled it. No one on board was reported injured.
Personnel from CBP's Air and Marine Operations division, along with special agents from ICE and HSI, responded to assist the Coast Guard once the vessel had been stopped. The immigration agents encountered 25 illegal aliens, all of whom claimed to be Chinese nationals. The vessel was seized and towed to the station, while the aliens were put onto another ship, the USCGC Margaret Norvell, for further processing. Officials are still investigating.
“Our Coast Guard crews, working closely with our local, state, and federal maritime law enforcement partners, remain vigilant in detecting and deterring unlawful maritime migration ventures,” Lt. Matthew Ross, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Miami Beach, said in a statement. “Anyone considering one of these dangerous voyages should understand that they are risking their lives at sea and can expect to be interdicted and repatriated.”
All six Chinese nationals were sentenced to between 29 and 30 months in prison. After serving their sentences, each defendant will be transferred to ICE custody for deportation proceedings.