Dominican Republic: U.S. Coast Guard repatriates 63 Haitian and Dominican migrants intercepted in the Mona Passage

San Juan, Puerto Rico — The United States Coast Guard said on Sunday it repatriated 63 Haitian and Dominican migrants after intercepting an overcrowded makeshift vessel on Friday in the Mona Passage, near Puerto Rico, according to the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

The roughly 30-foot vessel was carrying 66 people and was spotted by a Coast Guard aircraft about 70 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The cutter Winslow Griesser, supported by a helicopter, intercepted the vessel and rescued its occupants, including 59 citizens of the Dominican Republic and seven Haitians.

On Saturday, 63 of the migrants were transferred to two Dominican Republic Navy vessels, the Bellatrix and the Acrux, in the Mona Passage. Three others remain in federal custody while possible illegal re-entry offenses are investigated.

“I'm proud of my crew and the Coast Guard aircrews for stopping what could have been a treacherous journey for all onboard an overloaded migrant vessel Friday night,” said Lieutenant Alex Kearney, commanding officer of the Winslow Griesser, who warned that such voyages “are extremely dangerous.”

The Coast Guard reiterated that migrants intercepted at sea or apprehended after unlawfully entering U.S. territory may be repatriated and face restrictions on future immigration options. Maritime patrols will continue in the Caribbean Sea, the Mona Passage, the Windward Passage and the Florida Straits under Operation Vigilant Sentry and other regional security initiatives.

Photo: Archivo A Lo Claro

Source: CANANews (CMC)