The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a Chinese migrant attempting to reach the United States on a paddleboard, raising further concerns about smuggling routes through the Bahamas
The Chinese migrant was spotted approximately 25 miles off the coast of Freeport, Bahamas, on February 5th by the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seahorse, according to a statement posted by the agency on X. Officials reported that he was paddling across open waters on what appeared to be two boards stacked together, with a few pieces of luggage strapped to them. The man was safely taken into custody and later transferred to Bahamian authorities.
Growing smuggling concerns
The incident comes just a week after 26 Chinese nationals were detained in Coral Gables, Florida, in what federal authorities have identified as a migrant smuggling operation. The group was reportedly brought to South Florida by boat from the Bahamas before being loaded into two vans, which were later stopped by local police and federal agents.
In another incident on January 28, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stopped a vessel near the maritime border of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. The boat was carrying four Ecuadorian migrants and two Chinese nationals. Federal authorities have not yet disclosed where the vessel had launched from.
These recent cases have raised alarms about the increasing use of the Bahamas as a launching point for migrant smuggling operations into South Florida. Authorities have been closely monitoring maritime routes used by smugglers, with multiple arrests made in connection to human trafficking networks.
A surge in Chinese migrants
Law enforcement agencies have reported a dramatic increase in the number of Chinese nationals attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally. Between fiscal years 2021 and 2024, illegal crossings by Chinese migrants surged by more than 8,000%, according to government data.
The rise has fueled concerns among U.S. lawmakers about China's growing influence in Latin America and potential national security risks. Some officials fear that criminal networks are exploiting the immigration system, using countries like the Bahamas as transit hubs to smuggle migrants into the United States.
Tougher Immigration Policies underway
In response to the escalating border crisis, President Donald Trump has introduced aggressive measures to curb illegal migration. His administration recently expanded the use of "expedited removal," a policy that allows CBP to deport migrants without an immigration court hearing. Trump also signed an executive action suspending asylum for individuals crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Border Czar Tom Homan has vowed to tackle illegal immigration from "day one," emphasizing stricter enforcement policies, particularly against human smuggling operations.
With growing concerns about border security, U.S. officials continue to monitor smuggling routes through the Caribbean and are urging migrants to avoid taking dangerous sea journeys.
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