On April 15th, 2024, the Board of Supervisors of San Diego County, along with several mayors, held a press conference near Carlsbad State Beach, urging the state and federal governments to end the border crisis.
Last Saturday, April 13th, in Carlsbad State Beach, a boat carrying suspected illegal immigrants approached the shore for landing. Beachgoers captured the scene on camera, showing the boat rapidly approaching the shore and 10 individuals jumping out one by one, running into a nearby street and getting into an SUV waiting on the road.
According to the U.S. Border Patrol, such illegal maritime border activities are becoming increasingly common. “This was a well-coordinated operation that happened right here on this beach,” said Jim Desmond, a supervisor on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, during the press conference. “These people didn’t go through any checks; authorities have no idea who they are and where they are now.”
Illegal entries through the waters of San Diego happen frequently. In late January of this year, a video captured another similar event: over 20 suspected illegal immigrants arriving on a boat at a beach in San Diego, then running inland and disappearing into the streets of La Jolla.
Desmond stated that since 2020, maritime smuggling activities in San Diego County have increased by nearly 140%.
On April 15th, 2024, San Diego County Supervisor Desmond, along with several mayors, called on the state and federal governments to address the border crisis.
Ryan Keim, the Vice Mayor of Oceanside and a former city police officer, expressed his concern, saying, “When I saw a high-speed boat crossing the surf line on a busy Saturday and almost colliding with surfers, that is unacceptable.”
Keim mentioned that similar illegal maritime incidents have occurred before but mostly during the night and landing on secluded beaches. However, this past weekend’s event took place on “one of the most popular beaches.” He and his family have visited that beach numerous times.
John Franklin, the Mayor of Vista, has visited the U.S. southern border seven times in the past three years. He pointed out that individuals illegally landing on beaches are likely trying to evade registration with the Border Patrol, unlike those who cross the land border and register upon entry.
Keith Blackburn, the Mayor of Carlsbad, attributed the border crisis to California’s Senate Bill 54 passed in 2018, which prohibits state and local authorities from investigating, detaining, or arresting immigrants to assist federal immigration enforcement.
According to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, from October last year to March this year, 1.34 million illegal immigrants entered the U.S. through the southern border including San Diego. However, these figures do not account for those avoiding registration with border officials, such as maritime border crossers.
Desmond mentioned that since September last year, over 125,000 illegal immigrants have entered San Diego County. He emphasized that these immigrants come to San Diego because state and federal governments have laid out a “red carpet” for them, knowing that they have minimal chances of being deported and can access free medical care and legal assistance.
Desmond concluded, “We are here today calling on the California and federal governments to provide more resources; we cannot allow people to flood our shores and enter our communities simply by a small boat. We need stricter punishments for human traffickers.”
责任编辑: 郑念启