Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced an interception made by state law enforcement, capturing a vessel bound for the Florida coast carrying Haitian migrants alongside a trove of contraband, Fox News reports.
DeSantis disclosed that “25 illegal immigrants” from Haiti were apprehended, accompanied by “firearms, drugs, [and] night vision gear.”
This recent interdiction, occurred “near the Sebastian Inlet.”
DeSantis made the announcement during a press conference where he signed three bills aimed at curbing illegal immigration in Florida.
“Our Florida Fish and Wildlife offices interdicted a vessel that had 25 illegal immigrants, potential illegal immigrants from Haiti in their boat. In their vessel they had firearms, they had drugs, they had night vision gear and were boating very recklessly, which would potentially endanger other folks,” DeSantis said.
This move comes in response to escalating tensions in Haiti, with fears of increased migration activity amid the country’s unrest. Gang violence has spiraled out of control in Haiti, prompting concerns of a potential influx of refugees seeking asylum in neighboring countries.
NEW: U.S. veteran-led group Project Dynamo is conducting rescue missions to save Americans trapped in Haiti which has been taken over by violent gangs.
The non-profit estimates that about 500 Americans are trapped.
The gangs have completely taken over the roads and airports… pic.twitter.com/9Egr7m0i4z
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 15, 2024
To bolster border security efforts, DeSantis deployed additional personnel and aircraft to the Florida coast. The deployment includes National Guardsmen, law enforcement officers, and wildlife conservation officers equipped with helicopters, aircraft, drones, and seacraft. This strategic reinforcement underscores Florida’s commitment to safeguarding its borders and intercepting illegal maritime crossings.
“The message is the last thing you should want to do is get on a boat and think you’re going to come through from any of these islands to get to the state of Florida,” DeSantis said. “The most likely scenario is you’ll be stopped, and you will be returned to your country of origin.”
Since January 2023, authorities have collaborated with the Coast Guard to interdict “670 vessels carrying over 13,500 illegal immigrants,” showing the scale of the challenge.
DeSantis issued a stern warning to would-be illegal migrants, emphasizing the futility of attempting to enter Florida illegally.
While concerns about potential mass migration events loom, officials remain vigilant, closely monitoring the situation in Haiti. Rebecca Zimmerman, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs, affirmed the Pentagon’s readiness to support Coast Guard operations.
However, both the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security assert that migration flows in the Caribbean remain relatively low, with a commitment to immediate repatriation for those intercepted at sea.
