Rodney Scott, the U.S. Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, stated that agents from the U.S. Air Interception Unit intercepted a vessel carrying 240 Haitian migrants in an irregular immigration situation, who were attempting to enter the United States illegally by sea.

On Sunday, May 31, 2026, an overcrowded boat carrying 240 Haitian migrants was spotted approximately 24 km (15 miles) south of the Turks and Caicos Islands as it was taking on water and in danger of sinking. The rescue operation was conducted in coordination with local authorities. Details of the operation were subsequently released to the public by U.S. authorities on June 4th, 2026.

The vessel, which was taking on water rapidly, was officially secured and taken into custody around 1:00 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026. Details of the operation were released to the public by U.S. authorities on June 4.

An aircraft from the Air and Marine Operations (AMO) unit of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initially located a vessel approximately 15 meters long, dangerously overloaded and taking on water. An Ocean Sentry HC-144 aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Miami was diverted to survey the area. The crew was able to track the distressed vessel, film the scene using night vision, and guide the maritime rescue team.

Guided by the American aircraft, two patrol boats from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, along with units from the Islands Regiment, were deployed to the area. A small, fast U.S. Coast Guard craft approached as closely as possible to secure the passengers.

Around 1:00 a.m. on Monday, June 1st, 2026, local maritime units finally took the migrant boat in tow to bring the 240 people (191 men, 44 women, and 5 minors) safely ashore for medical checkups.

The official statement emphasized that the authorities' intervention averted what could have been a catastrophe, while also thwarting another attempt at irregular migration to the United States.

Following this operation, the U.S. government reiterated its warning about the risks associated with irregular maritime migration and affirmed that anyone attempting to enter the United States by this route will be denied entry.

TB/ iciHaiti