US Border Patrol apprehends 64 Haitians left by smugglers in Mona Island
Release Date Thu, 10/03/2024
AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico – U.S. Border Patrol Agents apprehended 64 non-citizens from Haiti Thursday who were abandoned by a smuggling organization in Mona Island on Wednesday.
Last Sunday Sept. 29, fourteen non-citizens from Haiti were transported to the Mayaguez Port of Entry by the US Coast Guard after being left stranded by smugglers in Monito Island. Two weeks ago, federal authorities removed 31 Haitians that were abandoned in the same location.
“I reiterate the fact that there are safe, orderly, and lawful paths to come to the United States. There is no 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” stated Reggie Johnson, Acting Chief Patrol Agent for Ramey Sector. “Smugglers and bad actors continue to spread falsehoods and show complete disregard for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable migrants.”
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/us-border-patrol-apprehends-64-haitians-left-smugglers-mona-island