U.S. Coast Guard Repatriates 30 Dominican Migrants Following Interdiction Near Puerto Rico

One additional migrant remains pending repatriation after an overloaded vessel was intercepted in the Mona Passage.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — November 11, 2026

The U.S. Coast Guard has repatriated 30 Dominican nationals to the Dominican Republic following the interception of an overcrowded migrant vessel in the Mona Passage near Puerto Rico.

According to a Coast Guard press release issued Wednesday, the migrants were transferred Tuesday to the Dominican Republic Navy vessel Capella (GC-108) offshore of Samaná, Dominican Republic. One additional individual remains pending repatriation.

The operation began early Monday morning when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft detected a light-blue, approximately 25-foot yola-style vessel carrying an undetermined number of people.

The Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle was diverted to investigate. Upon reaching the vessel, Coast Guard personnel discovered it was severely overcrowded, riding dangerously low in the water and at risk of capsizing.

For safety reasons, the crew rescued all 31 individuals aboard. All reportedly identified themselves as Dominican Republic nationals.

Cmdr. Matthew Pinhey, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle, warned that attempting to cross the Mona Passage in overloaded, poorly equipped vessels puts lives at serious risk.

He cautioned that unpredictable maritime conditions can quickly turn an illegal migration voyage into a deadly rescue operation.

The Coast Guard emphasized that migrants intercepted at sea or apprehended after unlawful arrival will not be permitted to remain in the United States or its territories and may face repatriation.

The interdiction forms part of ongoing maritime enforcement operations throughout the Caribbean, including the Mona Passage, Windward Passage, Florida Straits and surrounding waters.

Federal agencies continue working alongside regional partners to prevent unlawful maritime entry, combat human smuggling and trafficking, and protect lives at sea.