C.B.P. News Release

Miami Sector Border Patrol Agents Intercept Migrants After Landing by Boat in Florida

U.S. Citizen Suspected of Smuggling

(Tuesday, February 23, 2010)

Pembroke Pines, Fla. - On Feb. 22, at approximately 7:15 a.m., Border Patrol agents from the West Palm Beach Station responded to a call from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office which reported a landing of migrants in the area of Sewall’s Point, Fla.

Border Patrol agents interviewed and processed four Haitians and one Dominican. The subjects are adult males and appeared to be in good health.

An abandoned vessel was encountered in the mangroves of Hutchinson Island. The vessel is currently in Border Patrol custody while the investigation is in progress.

The circumstances surrounding this event are being investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol, with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Office has accepted prosecution (under Section 8 USC 1324) of a U.S. citizen suspected of smuggling the migrants.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Elee Erice
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (954) 965-6300 Ext: 180

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2010_8.xml