U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended 64 Haitian nationals who were left by smugglers on Mona Island, Puerto Rico, according to a report from the Ramey Sector of the Border Patrol. This incident follows previous occurrences where migrants were abandoned in similar circumstances.
On September 29, fourteen Haitians were transported to the Mayaguez Port of Entry by the U.S. Coast Guard after being stranded on Monito Island. Two weeks prior, federal authorities had removed 31 Haitians from the same location.
Reggie Johnson, Acting Chief Patrol Agent for Ramey Sector, emphasized legal pathways for migration: “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.”
The latest group was discovered on October 2 when park rangers from Puerto Rico's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources alerted border patrol about their presence on Mona Island. The following day, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter transferred custody of these individuals—comprising 30 adult men, 28 adult women, three accompanied minors, and three unaccompanied minors—to Ramey Sector Border Patrol Agents at Mayaguez Port.
All individuals will undergo removal proceedings as per regulations under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) and CBP’s National Standards on Transport, Escort, Detention and Search (TEDS). Unaccompanied minors will be transferred to Health and Human Services for care.
The Ramey Sector covers Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; it is unique among U.S. Border Patrol sectors due to its coastal-only border area spanning approximately 6,000 square miles including territorial waters.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection describes itself as "America's frontline," employing over 65,000 personnel responsible for safeguarding national borders across various domains while promoting secure travel and trade practices.
For anonymous tips regarding smuggling activities or other related matters contact CBP at 1(800)981-1313.
