The U.S. Coast Guard is grappling with a sharp rise in maritime illegal immigration under the Biden administration, as the surge in boat crossings across the country has created unprecedented challenges for law enforcement. This surge is attributed to political and economic instability in Haiti and Cuba, with the Migration Policy Institute highlighting the alarming increase in such crossings. In February 2023, officials at the U.S. Naval Institute stated that these interdiction operations were in a ‘state of emergency’ due to the turmoil in the Caribbean nations.
Recent incidents have seen the Coast Guard intercepting multiple groups of illegal immigrants along the U.S. coasts, with the most recent event occurring in California. On July 12, three individuals attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally were apprehended at Imperial Beach in San Diego County, with two identified as Mexican and one as Turkish. In January, a boat carrying 21 individuals was intercepted near San Diego, and subsequent checks revealed that while the individuals claimed Mexican nationality, some were actually from Guatemala and El Salvador.
These apprehensions have raised concerns about the safety and security of migrant crossings, with experts highlighting the diverse risks posed by different types of boat crossings. Simon Hankinson, a senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, noted the unique challenges faced by law enforcement, including the presence of both professional smugglers and individuals attempting to cross in dangerous, overcrowded conditions. He also emphasized the need to learn from the United Kingdom’s experience with a sharp rise in Channel crossings, urging the U.S. to avoid similar pitfalls and rethink its approach to immigration policy.