U.S. Coast Guard Repatriates 191 Alien Immigrants to Haiti Following Interdiction of Overloaded Vessel

aliens are provided food, water, shelter, and basic medical before repatriation

(U.S. COAST GUARD) – The Miami Coast Guard Cutter Spencer’s crew repatriated 191 aliens to Haiti last week, following an interdiction approximately 40 miles north of Cap Haitien, Haiti.

Spencer’s crew notified Coast Guard Southeast District watchstanders on Friday of an overloaded vessel disabled in international waters.

“The Coast Guard is committed to our mission to safeguard America by securing our maritime borders and preventing illegal entry into the United States and its territories,” said Lt. Cmdr. Cory Arsenault, Coast Guard liaison officer to U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince.

“Anyone attempting to enter the United States illegally by sea will be interdicted and repatriated, consistent with U.S. law and policy.”

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, aliens are processed to determine their identity and are provided food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before repatriation to their country of origin or return to the country of their departure.

The Coast Guard, along with its Operation Vigilant Sentry partners, maintains a continued presence with air, land, and sea assets in the Florida Straits, the Windward Passage, the Mona Passage, and the Caribbean Sea.

Operation Vigilant Sentry’s combined, multi-layered approach is designed to protect the safety of life at sea while preventing unlawful maritime entry to the United States and its territories.

Since the beginning of fiscal year 2025, on October 1, Coast Guard crews repatriated 603 aliens to Haiti, compared to 857 aliens to Haiti in FY 2024.

To learn more about the OVS mission, CLICK HERE.

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