(Image Credit: IMAGN) 10/26/18 1:12:41 PM -- Guatemala. A new wave of several hundred migrants from Honduras and El Salvador gathered near a park in Tecun Uman Guatemala. They waited to cross the Suchiate River that divides the two countries between Guatemala and Mexico in hopes of heading north to the United States. Under pressure from the United States, Mexico shut the bridge in an effort to halt another wave of migrants, mostly Hondurans, from crossing the border into Mexico. Photo by Nick Oza, Gannett. Migrant caravan
San Diego, California – In the wake of a deadly maritime smuggling event off the coast of Del Mar that killed three people, including a 14-year-old boy, Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) is calling for a significant federal investment in coastal surveillance to prevent future tragedies.
At a press conference Monday, Levin announced he is requesting $60 million in federal funding to support the installation of autonomous surveillance towers (ASTs) along San Diego’s coastline. The proposed towers would use cameras, radar, and infrared technology to detect unauthorized vessels attempting to reach shore undetected.
“These tragedies underscore the urgent need for better maritime border security,” Levin said. “We must do more to stop human smugglers from risking lives in these perilous waters.”
The May 5 incident involved a panga boat carrying 18 undocumented migrants that capsized near Del Mar, resulting in three confirmed deaths and four injuries. Among the deceased was a 14-year-old boy; his 10-year-old sister remains missing and is presumed dead. The crash also injured both of the children’s parents. Federal authorities have charged five individuals in San Diego in connection to the smuggling operation.
One week later, another smuggling attempt ended with a boat washing ashore near Windansea Beach in La Jolla. Border Patrol detained nine migrants.
“These events are heartbreaking, and they are also a public safety crisis,” Levin said. “We need to give law enforcement the tools they need to intercept these dangerous attempts before lives are lost.”
Levin also urged his congressional colleagues to support legislation expanding U.S. customs waters from 12 to 24 nautical miles, enhancing the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection’s ability to patrol further offshore. The bipartisan bill, the Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act, has been reintroduced this session with Levin’s support.
Del Mar Mayor Terry Gaasterland, who joined Levin on Monday, praised first responders, lifeguards, and local bystanders for their swift actions in the May 5 incident.
“Their bravery saved lives,” Gaasterland said. “But this was an extremely dangerous situation. We need to prevent it from happening again.”
Levin emphasized that immigration reform must go hand-in-hand with border security.
“You can’t just have security. You’ve got to have humanity as well,” Levin said. “We need orderly, legal pathways for people who seek to come to this country for the right reasons, so they don’t feel forced to risk their lives at sea.”
