Amidst the new U.S. government's efforts to curb illegal immigration, the Border Patrol issued a stern warning on Thursday: those attempting to reach U.S. shores by sea "will be sent back" to their country of origin or the last nation they departed from. Jeffrey Dinise, head of the Miami Sector Border Patrol, emphasized in a statement on X that individuals entering the U.S. illegally by sea will be returned, either to their home country or the last country they left, as part of a more stringent border control policy.
"Illegal maritime voyages on overloaded or makeshift vessels are extremely dangerous and can be deadly. We are committed not only to the safety of individuals but also to the protection of national sovereignty," Dinise remarked, highlighting the Border Patrol's intensified operations to halt illegal maritime entry.
This warning is part of a series of measures from the new Administration aimed at tightening immigration control in the U.S. and implementing the rapid deportation policy approved during Donald Trump's presidency. The U.S. government has also empowered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials with greater authority to swiftly deport undocumented immigrants.
The "expedited removal" policy allows authorities to deport those unable to prove they've been in the U.S. for over two years without the need for immigration court proceedings. Recently, the government mobilized military aircraft for mass deportations, deployed 1,500 soldiers to bolster terrestrial borders, and the Coast Guard (USCG) ordered an immediate deployment of naval assets along the maritime border with Cuba.
The USCG’s focused areas include the southeastern U.S. border extending towards Florida, aiming to deter and prevent mass migration from Haiti and Cuba. Additionally, attention is given to the maritime borders around Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories including Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the maritime border between the Bahamas and southern Florida, the southwestern maritime border between the U.S. and Mexico in the Pacific, and the maritime border between Texas and Mexico in the Gulf of Mexico.
Understanding U.S. Maritime Immigration Policies
What happens to individuals caught entering the U.S. illegally by sea?
They will be sent back to their country of origin or the last country they departed from as part of a stricter border control policy.
Why are sea voyages to the U.S. considered dangerous?
Illegal maritime voyages on overloaded or makeshift vessels are extremely dangerous due to the risk of capsizing and other maritime hazards, which can be fatal.
What is the "expedited removal" policy?
It is a policy that allows authorities to deport individuals who cannot prove they've been in the U.S. for more than two years without going through immigration court proceedings.