By The Epoch Times | Created at 2026-08-06 12:46:59 | Updated at 2026-08-06 13:42:21
1 hour ago
The U.S. Coast Guard, partnering with the U.S. Navy and Border Patrol, intercepted smuggling vessels and arrested illegal immigrants. Courtesy of the USCG
Crews from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in Southern California intercepted three smuggling vessels last week in separate encounters, according to the agency.
The operations, carried out in joint coordination with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Navy, led to the apprehension of 34 illegal immigrants, USCG said in an Aug. 5 post on X.
One of the operations conducted by the Coast Guard last week involved interdicting a 22-foot vessel on Saturday near San Diego, USCG said in an Aug. 2 statement. Nine suspected illegal immigrants were identified and detained.
In another operation, the Coast Guard and the CBP’s Air and Marine Operations Marine Interdiction Agents intercepted 21 suspected illegal immigrants roughly 14 miles from San Clemente Island, California, on Wednesday last week, according to a July 31 USCG statement.
One of the individuals, a 56-year-old man, was found unresponsive and transported to a medical center in Los Angeles, but eventually passed away. The remaining 20 illegal immigrants were transferred to U.S. Border Patrol.
Commenting on the apprehension of 34 illegal immigrants, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in an Aug. 5 post on X, “Do not attempt to enter our nation illegally: we will find you and you will face the consequences. Our borders are closed.”
Meanwhile, it was the Coast Guard’s 236th anniversary on Tuesday, according to an Aug. 4 post on X by the agency.
USCG employs 78,677 personnel and has 1,808 small boats, 350 unmanned aerial systems, 223 cutters, and 135 rotary aircraft in service. In the calendar year 2025, the Coast Guard carried out 6,705 search-and-rescue cases, saved 5,220 lives, and stopped 231 narco-terrorists.
In an Aug. 5 post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump commended the Coast Guard on its 236th anniversary and said that his administration was rebuilding the service to ensure “American Strength, Sovereignty, and Security.”
“The first of 11 new Arctic Security Cutters that I ordered will be delivered in 2028,” he said. “Congress must fully support and fully fund the United States Coast Guard so they can continue carrying out this vital Mission.”
USCG announced the awarding of contracts for the 11 Arctic Security Cutters in a Feb. 11 statement. The new cutters are expected to become the backbone of a revitalized icebreaker fleet, protecting the sovereignty of the United States.
For fiscal year 2027, the Trump administration has requested a budget of more than $15.61 billion for the Coast Guard, up by more than 15 percent from the $13.52 billion budget in fiscal year 2026.
In a fact sheet, the Department of War said that the investment in USCG will fund the “initial workforce transformation by putting the Service on a path to grow by 15,000 active duty members.” The funds will also be invested in new technologies and used for overhauling support systems.
