Operation Vigilant Sentry, which was first approved by the Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast in 2004, deploys air and surface assets to combat illegal maritime migration in the United States' Caribbean corridor. The primary goal is: together with our federal, state, and local partners, to prevent and discourage mass maritime migration and ensure the safety of life at sea.
The Seventh Coast Guard District's commander is the director of Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast. One of the 11 statutory missions given to the Coast Guard by Congress is migrant interdiction. This gives the military service the authority to lead the ongoing and historic migrant surge.
Operation Vigilant Sentry serves as a framework for any Caribbean nation and is not country-specific. Cuban and Haitian nationals attempt to illegally migrate by sea to Florida the most frequently. Illegal migration can occur for any number of different reasons, despite the distinct difficulties faced by each nation.
The majority of Americans cannot comprehend the risk that migrants are willing to take: Some of the realities include escaping poverty, violence, human trafficking, and persecution, Cmdr. Operation Vigilant Sentry's chief of intelligence is Ray Caro. Although countries in the Western Hemisphere experience gradual change, these difficulties are certainly appearing more frequently. Those realities are amplified and migration is sparked by politics, migration policies, and natural disasters. Since then, the Coast Guard has made maritime migration a top priority for saving lives.
The weather, the possibility of drowning, and the general unpredictability of the maritime domain all pose obstacles for illegal migrants' goals as well as threats to their lives.
There are anywhere from 150 to 300 people aboard these unsafe, overcrowded freighters that are intercepted by Coast Guard assets. About thirty people can safely board a typical safe sailboat.
In light of the obvious threats posed by the maritime domain, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas advised Cubans and Haitians not to enter the United States by sea in a press conference held in July 2021. Mayorkas stated, "The time is never right to attempt migration by sea." This risk is not worth taking for those who put their lives at risk for it. Just to be clear: You won't reach the United States if you take to the sea.
He stated that Cubans and Haitians who attempt to land in the United States by sea may not be eligible for parole and will be subject to removal proceedings. Repatriation to the nation of origin or departure will occur for individuals detained at sea.
Not only is illegal sea migration dangerous for those who attempt it, but it also causes unnecessary stress for their loved ones' families because they do not know whether or not their loved ones are still alive.
According to Lieutenant, "Family members call our command center constantly." Sector Key West's enforcement officer, Paul Benyovszky. When family members cry and beg for information we don't have, it can be hard to keep our emotions in check.
He stated that illegal migration is not going away and that this is not an easy mission.
5,321 Cubans and 1,766 Haitians have been detained at sea by crews since the beginning of the new fiscal year in October. In order to stop illegal migration at sea and rescue those in trouble before it takes their lives at sea, the service deployed more personnel and resources to the region.
The Coast Guard is still the federal agency in charge of this mission, and the crews and other agencies are doing everything in their power to make sure that everyone makes it home safely at the end of the day.
#Seaandcoastnews