On Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) launched an immediate deployment of naval resources along the maritime boundary with Cuba, acting on executive orders issued by the White House under Donald Trump's new administration. This initiative aims to bolster security in waters near the island and other critical areas, aligning with the president's promises to curb illegal migration and drug trafficking in international waters adjacent to the United States.
In a formal statement, Admiral Kevin Lunday, the interim commander of the Coast Guard, emphasized the agency's pivotal role as a global leader in maritime security, stating it is essential for safeguarding America's maritime borders, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. "Following the president's executive orders, I have directed my operational commanders to deploy assets immediately—cutters, aircraft, boats, and specialized deployable forces—to enhance Coast Guard presence, focusing on key areas," Lunday stated.
The targeted regions include the southeastern U.S. border stretching towards Florida, with the goal of deterring and preventing mass migration from Haiti and Cuba. Additionally, attention is directed towards the maritime borders around Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories such as Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The maritime boundary between the Bahamas and southern Florida, as well as the southwestern maritime border between the U.S. and Mexico in the Pacific, are also areas of focus. Furthermore, the maritime border between Texas and Mexico in the Gulf of Mexico is under increased scrutiny.
Lunday noted that these efforts are being executed in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Defense, aiming to detect, deter, and disrupt illegal migration, drug trafficking, and other terrorist or hostile activities before they reach U.S. borders. This deployment is part of a broader set of measures announced by the Trump administration to tighten border control.
Benjamine Huffman, the new acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, also confirmed the commencement of a new phase of raids targeting undocumented migrants, particularly those with criminal records. The policies include revoking the Biden administration's guidelines that limited immigration law enforcement in sensitive areas like schools and churches, and canceling the humanitarian parole program, which had allowed temporary entry for over 1.5 million migrants from countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua. The humanitarian parole program is set to be replaced with a case-by-case assessment, potentially making legal entry more challenging for thousands of migrants.
Impacts of the U.S. Coast Guard Deployment Near Cuba
Why has the U.S. Coast Guard increased its presence near Cuba?
The U.S. Coast Guard has intensified its presence near Cuba to enhance security, deter illegal migration, and prevent drug trafficking, following executive orders from the Trump administration.
What areas are affected by the Coast Guard's deployment?
The deployment focuses on the southeastern U.S. border near Florida, maritime borders around Alaska, Hawaii, and various U.S. territories, as well as the maritime boundaries near the Bahamas, southern Florida, and between Texas and Mexico.
What changes have been made to U.S. immigration policies?
The Trump administration has revoked previous guidelines limiting immigration law enforcement in sensitive locations and canceled the humanitarian parole program, opting for a case-by-case entry assessment.