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Coast Guard Helicopter Rescues 15 Migrants from Disabled Boat Near San Diego


Rescue swimmers assisted the passengers in being hoisted into the helicopter. Officials indicate that illegal boat entries have risen in recent weeks.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew successfully rescued 15 unauthorized immigrants on March 11 from a boat that was adrift off the southern coast of California, as reported by officials.

The vessel was located approximately 60 miles southwest of San Diego when an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew was called in to conduct the rescue on Tuesday.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, two Coast Guard rescue swimmers were deployed to assist the illegal immigrants in boarding the helicopter. The occupants were safely hoisted into the aircraft and transported to San Diego in two separate flights, as noted by the Coast Guard. They were subsequently placed in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Multiple requests for comments or confirmation of receiving the immigrants went unanswered by the San Diego Sector Border Patrol.

“Irregular maritime migration aboard unseaworthy or overcrowded vessels is always perilous and frequently fatal,” the Coast Guard stated. “Avoid taking to the sea; you could lose your life.”

A total of 31 illegal immigrants were smuggled into the United States from Mexico on boats across six separate incidents between March 3 and March 9, according to a report from the Coast Guard this week.

Local and state representatives have reported an increase in illegal boat crossings into California since stricter border policies were enacted by the Trump administration.

“We have consistently seen this situation in San Diego,” state Assemblyman Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) informed The Epoch Times on March 11.

In January, a boat carrying smuggled immigrants capsized near a San Diego beach in the early hours. Approximately 20 passengers were thrown into the water as lifeguards and surfers hurried to their aid, according to local officials.
Fifteen illegal immigrants were rescued from a wayward metal boat off the coast of San Diego, Calif., March 11, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Fifteen illegal immigrants were rescued from a wayward metal boat off the coast of San Diego, Calif., March 11, 2025. U.S. Coast Guard

The uptick in illegal water crossings has led officials in San Clemente, situated about midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, to consider the installation of infrared cameras and potentially allowing public monitoring of the beaches during nighttime.

San Clemente is located just north of a federal border checkpoint on Interstate 5, which follows the coast through southern Orange County.

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued illegal immigrants attempting to cross into California March 11, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard)

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued illegal immigrants attempting to cross into California March 11, 2025. U.S. Coast Guard

“It’s quite clear why they are coming in there,” San Clemente Councilman Rick Loeffler stated in February. “It seems logical that [federal immigration enforcement agencies] would want to have cameras in place here.”

Kimberly Hayek contributed to this report.



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