Federal maritime agents intercepted a makeshift boat carrying 64 migrants off the western coast of Puerto Rico, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said, in a coordinated operation that ended with everyone aboard detained and placed into removal proceedings.
The interception happened on May 9, when Air and Marine Operations’ Maceda Marine Unit detected and stopped a suspected yola-type vessel near southwestern Puerto Rico, according to a CBP statement released May 20. A yola is a small, often makeshift craft frequently used in clandestine sea crossings in the region.
Agents boarded the vessel and found 64 people aboard—58 from the Dominican Republic and six from Haiti. The migrants were transferred to AMO and Puerto Rico Police marine units, then taken to the Mayagüez Port of Entry. Border Patrol processed the group for removal, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and Puerto Rico Police.
The operation involved AMO, Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and Puerto Rico Police, with each agency supporting at sea and on shore.
Christopher Hunter, director of the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch, cast the operation as part of a broader push to police the waters around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “This interdiction underscores the relentless commitment of our agents and partners to securing our maritime borders and protecting lives,” he said in the statement.
Hunter said the speed of the response mattered both for enforcement and for the safety of those aboard. “The swift, coordinated response prevented dangerous crossings and ensured migrants received necessary care,” he said, adding that “our ongoing collaboration is essential to safeguarding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands from the threats posed by illegal maritime activity.”
CBP framed the operation within the current administration’s enforcement posture. The release said the work was carried out “under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin,” said the CBP.
The agency described AMO as an arm that “safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats” across the air and maritime environments of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The statement leaves several questions unanswered, including key details such as the vessel’s point of departure, whether any injuries occurred during the crossing or interception, and whether smuggling charges were brought against the operator or organizer. The release also omits information about the current location of the migrants and the anticipated timeline for their removal proceedings, offering no further clarification from CBP.
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Note: This article was originally written in English. The French and Haitian Creole versions were produced using AI translation software; errors may occur, and the English version is authoritative. CTN also uses AI to convert text to audio.
