In recent operations at sea, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has intercepted a total of 35 suspected illegal immigrants and 3 individuals involved in human trafficking in 4 separate incidents.
On July 12, the USCG Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) in Honolulu intercepted a 34-foot sailboat approximately 5 miles off Point Loma, San Diego. The boat was crossing the U.S. maritime border. According to a statement released on the 13th, enforcement officers boarded the vessel and spoke with the captain, who was a U.S. citizen claiming to be the only person on board. However, during inspection, the USCG found a person hidden below the deck, leading to further search revealing more individuals concealed beneath the deck.
The Coast Guard reported a total of 9 individuals on board, including 2 U.S. citizens, 7 suspected illegal immigrants (4 adults and 3 unaccompanied minors), as well as contraband. The 9 individuals were subsequently transferred to the Border Patrol at Ballast Point in San Diego for processing.
In a second interception on the same day, the MSST team intercepted a 36-foot sailboat near Point Loma. The boat had one operator who was reportedly previously convicted of human trafficking, and three suspected illegal immigrants.
On the 11th, the USCG intercepted a 40-foot yacht in Mission Bay, San Diego, discovering 21 suspected illegal immigrants, including 20 adults and 1 unaccompanied minor. Additionally, enforcement officers also inspected an 18-foot vessel near Point Loma on the same day, finding 4 suspected illegal immigrants, including 3 adults and 1 minor.
The Coast Guard patrols approximately 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline in 2025. The agency currently consists of 78,677 personnel, 1,808 small boats, 223 cutters, and 135 rotorcraft.
On January 13, the Coast Guard announced on social media platform X that they significantly strengthened efforts to combat illegal maritime migration last year. They intercepted or transported over 11,000 illegal immigrants and continue to enforce laws most efficiently in coastal and frontier areas.
The “Operation River Wall,” launched in October 2025, aims to enhance security on the approximately 260-mile U.S. border along the Rio Grande in eastern Texas. The Coast Guard stated on January 9 that “Operation River Wall” was one of the key measures in successfully intercepting over 11,000 illegal immigrants last year.
A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in January highlighted the Coast Guard’s need to improve its maritime law enforcement capabilities for combating drug trafficking and intercepting illegal immigrants.
The report noted that from 2015 to 2024, the USCG had never met its major drug interception performance targets and failed to meet primary illegal immigrant interception objectives for six of the ten fiscal years.
USCG officials cited reasons for not meeting goals, including a decrease in available equipment and insufficient manpower.
The Coast Guard is pushing forward with the “Force Design 2028” reform plan to build a more mobile, capable, and responsive operational force.
Acting Commander Kevin E. Lunday stated on January 29 during a Senate hearing that the USCG is accelerating modernization efforts by enhancing operational capabilities, adopting cutting-edge technology, and investing in personnel.
Lunday mentioned that before the end of the fiscal year, the Coast Guard plans to utilize the $20 billion funding from the “Make Big Act” to procure new vessels, aircraft, cutters, onshore infrastructure, and related technological equipment.