Federal agents intercepted a boat carrying 14 undocumented migrants off Newport Beach, marking the latest in a series of vessels suspected of transporting migrants near the affluent Southern California community.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations crew stopped the vessel south of Newport Beach at approximately 1:30 p.m. Friday, the agency told News Media.
Authorities said the passengers included 11 men, two women and an accompanied boy. All identified themselves as Mexican nationals.
Agents escorted the passengers and the vessel to a U.S. Coast Guard dock in Newport Beach. The 14 people were then transferred to Border Patrol for processing, while the boat was seized.
Fourteen undocumented migrants are transported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after agents intercepted a vessel south of Newport Beach on Oct. 3. (Credit: KTTV)
One passenger was checked for possible dehydration and seasickness. The person was in stable condition and was cleared by emergency medical personnel, CBP said.
“Maritime migration is dangerous and can too often result in death,” CBP said. “Illegal aliens should not embark on a dangerous journey. The United States border will remain closed to illegal migration by sea, air, and land.”
The interception adds to a growing number of suspected migrant-boat incidents reported in and around Newport Beach.
A sailboat cruises through Newport Harbor in Newport Harbor Thursday, March 2, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Surveillance footage obtained last month by FOX 11 Los Angeles showed another boat entering Newport Harbor. At least a dozen people reportedly disembarked before dispersing into the surrounding community.
Federal authorities process people from a vessel intercepted south of Newport Beach. CBP said the 14 people aboard identified themselves as Mexican nationals. (Credit: KTTV)
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In a separate incident last month, 37 migrants were rescued offshore after reportedly spending two days without food, water or fuel.
Cellphone footage from another incident roughly two years ago showed more than 20 suspected migrants leaving a panga boat in Newport Harbor and rushing toward waiting vans.
The recurring activity has led Newport Beach City Councilmember Erik Weigand to call for surveillance cameras near the harbor entrance.
“The last Saturday, then the Saturday before, and a few Saturdays before that. These guys have been trying to unload illegal migrants into our city and then off into the community,” Weigand told FOX 11.
A vessel carrying 14 undocumented migrants is intercepted south of Newport Beach on Oct. 3. All 14 were later transferred to U.S. Border Patrol for processing. (Credit: KTTV)
Weigand is proposing the installation of two cameras using existing infrastructure near the jetties or seawall to monitor boat traffic entering and leaving the harbor around the clock.
He said expanded surveillance could alert authorities when suspicious vessels are approaching and give law enforcement an opportunity to respond before passengers make it to shore.
“Yeah, we have to have some sort of discussion, but it would be a feature for security,” Weigand said. “I think having technology is a good thing. If we can have eyes and ears on something that looks suspicious, we could send up a drone.”
Weigand said the broader concern is that authorities may have limited information about who is aboard vessels approaching the coast—or what those boats might be carrying.
“They could be smuggling drugs, they could be simply just be looking for a better opportunity in America, or they could be up to terrorist activities,” Weigand said. “We don’t know, that’s the problem.”
News Media has reached out to Weigand for additional comment on the recent incidents and his concerns about suspected maritime smuggling operations targeting the area.
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