DHS says Coast Guard disabled vessel bringing 25 Chinese migrants illegally to US

The Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday that the United States Coast Guard intercepted a vessel last week that was trying to bring over two dozen Chinese migrants to the U.S. illegally.

The encounter took place on June 10 off the coast of Florida and the U.S. disabled the vessel by opening fire on the ship after it declined to comply with Coast Guard orders to stop one mile south of Key Biscayne. No one was injured in the shooting.

The vessel was allegedly attempting to smuggle 25 Chinese migrants into the United States, according to DHS.

"By land or sea, our borders are CLOSED," the DHS said on X. "This sends a clear message to ANY illegal alien attempting to enter the United States: don’t even think about it." 

The passengers were transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell for processing after their ship was disabled and the vessel was taken to Station Miami Beach, according to Fox News.

Special agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations launched a criminal investigation into the attempted entry, with assistance from Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations.

The incident was part of Operation Vigilant Sentry, where the Coast Guard and its partners maintain a continuous presence across the Florida Straits, Caribbean Sea and surrounding waters to deter and prevent illegal maritime migration.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.