A surge of migrant boat crossings off the Southern California coast is raising alarm bells, with Coast Guard officials reporting a disturbing trend: an influx of foreign nationals from U.S. adversary countries, including China, Russia, and Pakistan.
Coast Guard District 11 Capt. Jason Hagen revealed that in the past 90 days, approximately 200 migrant boat encounters have occurred near San Diego, averaging two interventions per day. This dramatic increase, he says, is no longer solely comprised of economic migrants from Mexico. “It’s also… bad actors coming from other countries,” Hagen warned.
The captain attributes the surge to increased land border security, forcing smugglers to shift their operations to the maritime environment. “It’s kind of like squeezing a balloon — you squeeze the balloon, and the air pushes to the other side,” he explained.
The situation presents a significant national security concern, as the Coast Guard grapples with identifying and apprehending potentially dangerous individuals entering U.S. waters. Adding to the danger, many of these vessels are unseaworthy, putting the lives of migrants and Coast Guard personnel at risk.
The influx also highlights a broader debate on border security and immigration policy. Republican officials, like State Rep. Carl DeMaio, point to taxpayer-funded benefits incentivizing illegal immigration and the lucrative business of human smuggling. Conversely, local San Diego officials are facing criticism for policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The Coast Guard insists it is strengthening its presence to protect the border and territorial integrity of the United States.
