US Coast Guard repatriates 132 Haitians after intercepting boat near Florida

The U.S. Coast Guard has repatriated 132 Haitian migrants after intercepting their overcrowded vessel southeast of the Florida Keys earlier this month.

According to officials, the Coast Guard cutter Escanaba stopped the 30-foot vessel approximately 50 miles southeast of Marathon, Florida, during the first week of Florida. The interception came after aircrews from Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, along with Coast Guard Air Station Miami, spotted the boat attempting to enter U.S. waters illegally.

“The Coast Guard will continue to prioritize strengthening our domestic integrity and disrupting attempts to enter the United States illegally by sea,” said Lt. Zane Carter, enforcement officer for Coast Guard District Seven. “We are steadfast in our mission to safeguard America by securing our maritime borders.”

Once intercepted, the migrants were processed to confirm their nationality and provided with food, water, shelter, and medical attention before being repatriated to Haiti, following standard procedure.

Since the start of the 2025 fiscal year on October 1, 2024, the Coast Guard has repatriated 313 Haitian migrants, reinforcing its stance against illegal maritime entry.