SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Coast Guard crews rescued 20 migrants from their sinking vessel in the Atlantic Ocean Monday night near Samana, Dominican Republic, the military branch said in a news release.
Crews were reportedly helped by members of a Dominican Republic Navy patrol boat while rescuing the 20 migrants from their 20-foot vessel Monday night.
The crew of HC-144 Ocean Sentry found the boat around 30 nautical miles northeast of Samana, according to the Coast Guard. The Dominican Republic Navy was notified before they deployed their own boat, Capella, to help save the migrants.
Overall, 18 life jackets were provided in the rescue and 18 men and two women were safely transferred on board the Capella, the Coast Guard said.
“The quick response and effective coordination between the Coast Guard and our Dominican Republic partners and units on-scene, ensured the rescue of 20 people from this unstable and grossly overloaded disabled vessel in the darkness of the night,” Cmdr. Matthew Romano, Sector San Juan chief of response stated in the release.
The commander went on to say that the dangerous conditions the migrants experienced Monday night are common between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
"We urge anyone thinking of taking part in one of these voyages to not take to the sea at risk to your life, and instead seek safe, orderly and lawful migration pathways," Romano stated.
The U.S. Coast Guard said migrants who are interdicted at sea or apprehended ashore will not be allowed to stay in the U.S. or on U.S. territory, which might make them ineligible for legal immigration parole options as they are returned to their country of origin.
