A makeshift wooden vessel and outboard motor used in a migrant landing near Jobos Beach, Isabela, Puerto Rico, where 39 individuals from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Venezuela were apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents. Photo Credit: CBP
U.S. Border Patrol agents, in collaboration with local authorities, apprehended 39 non-citizens early Monday morning after a suspected migrant vessel landed near Jobos Beach in the northern town of Isabela, Puerto Rico.
The individuals, hailing from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Venezuela, were intercepted as part of ongoing border security efforts in the region.
The incident began at approximately 1:00 a.m. when a former Border Patrol agent alerted the Ramey Sector dispatch about a suspected migrant landing. Upon arrival, Border Patrol agents and the Isabela Municipal Police, a partner in Operation Stonegarden, discovered a 30-foot makeshift wooden vessel, commonly referred to as a “yola,” equipped with two outboard motors.
A search of the area led to the arrest of 39 individuals, including 23 adult men and 13 adult women from the Dominican Republic, two adult men from Haiti, and one adult woman from Venezuela. All were transported to the Ramey Border Patrol Station for processing and removal proceedings.
“Migrants do not need to risk their lives traversing the Mona Passage in the hands of ruthless smugglers, only to arrive at our coast and face the legal consequences of unlawful entry,” said Reggie Johnson, acting chief patrol agent for the Ramey Sector. He emphasized the dangers posed by smugglers, who often exploit vulnerable migrants. “Smugglers and bad actors continue to spread falsehoods and show complete disregard for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable migrants,” he added.
The Ramey Sector, one of 21 U.S. Border Patrol sectors, is unique in being located outside the continental United States. Its area of responsibility encompasses the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, with a total of 6,000 square miles of land and water, including the twelve-mile territorial water surrounding the islands. The sector's border area is entirely composed of coastline, making maritime operations a critical aspect of its border security efforts.
Authorities continue to warn against the risks of illegal maritime migration, highlighting both the physical dangers and the legal ramifications for those attempting unlawful entry into U.S. territories.
