Coast Guard Interdicts 102 Haitian Migrants Near Bahamas

MIAMI, FL — The U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 102 Haitian migrants Wednesday in what officials described as the largest U.S. migrant interdiction in more than a year. The migrants were spotted 22 miles south of Great Inagua, Bahamas. They were returned to Cap-Haitien, Haiti by Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk.

“The Caribbean and Florida Straits are dangerous and unforgiving for migrants on illegal and ill-advised voyages in overloaded vessels,” observed Capt. Jason Ryan, who serves as chief of response for the Seventh Coast Guard District. (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Miami Beach Patch.)

Approximately 1,028 Haitian migrants have attempted to illegally migrate to the United States by sea since Oct. 1 compared to 1,872 during the entire 2016 fiscal year. These numbers represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and the Atlantic, according to the Guard.

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"The Coast Guard and its partner agencies continue to maintain a strong presence along our maritime border and will continue to interdict and rescue those who embark on these illegal voyages in unsafe vessels such as this one," Ryan added.

Officials said that all migrants are given food, water, shelter and medical attention once aboard Coast Guard vessels.

The Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk interdicted 102 Haitian migrants in what officials described as the largest such interdiction in more than a year. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard.