A Coast Guard vessel intercepted a boat carrying 16 individuals suspected of being undocumented migrants approximately 15 miles off Mission Bay, California, on Sunday morning. The Coast Guard reported the incident, stating that around midnight, the cutter Active alerted the Joint Harbor Operations Center about a 25-foot panga-style boat, commonly used in smuggling operations, with 15-20 people on board.

The Coast Guard and a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations crew launched teams to assess the situation. Upon boarding the panga, they found 16 individuals who, during initial interviews, identified themselves as Mexican nationals. All those on board were subsequently transferred to U.S. Border Patrol custody.

The Coast Guard emphasized its commitment to maritime safety and collaboration with federal partners in combating illegal activities. This interception follows several recent Coast Guard operations, including expulsion flights between California and Texas and the rescue of migrants from a sinking vessel last week. One such incident involved the cutter Active intercepting a boat with nine migrants headed for San Diego, which began to sink shortly after being stopped. All individuals were safely rescued and transferred to CBP.

This recent interception comes in the wake of the dismissal of Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Lee Fagan, reportedly due to concerns over border security, recruitment, and an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Fagan was also alleged to have concealed Operation Fouled Anchor, an internal investigation into sexual assault cases at the Coast Guard Academy.