A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew in San Diego rescued 15 illegal immigrants from a wayward boat about 60 miles off the coast on March 11, 2025. U.S. Coast Guard
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued 15 illegal immigrants March 11 from a boat adrift off the southernmost coast of California, officials reported.
The boat was about 60 miles southwest of San Diego when an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew was dispatched to rescue the passengers Tuesday.
Two Coast Guard rescue swimmers were deployed to help the illegal immigrants board the helicopter, according to a statement published Wednesday. The occupants were safely hoisted into the chopper and brought to San Diego in two flights, said the Coast Guard. They were then transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody.
San Diego Sector Border Patrol did not return several requests for comment or to confirm receiving the immigrants.
“Irregular maritime migration aboard unseaworthy or overloaded vessels is always dangerous, and often deadly,” the Coast Guard said. “Do not take to the sea. You could lose your life.”
A total of 31 illegal immigrants were smuggled into the United States from Mexico on boats in six different events from March 3 to March 9, the Coast Guard reported this week.
Local and state officials have said there has been a rise in illegal boat crossings into California since President Donald Trump’s new administration began implementing stricter policies at the border.
“We have seen this in San Diego repeatedly,” state Assemblyman Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) told The Epoch Times on March 11.
In January, a boat filled with smuggled illegal immigrants capsized near a San Diego beach in the early morning hours. About 20 passengers were flung into the sea as lifeguards and surfers rushed to rescue them, according to city officials.
Fifteen illegal immigrants were rescued from a wayward metal boat off the coast of San Diego, Calif., March 11, 2025. U.S. Coast Guard
The increase in illegal crossings by sea has prompted officials in San Clemente, located on the coast about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, to explore installing infrared cameras and possibly allowing the public to monitor the beaches at night.
San Clemente is just north of a federal border checkpoint on Interstate 5, which runs along the coast in southern Orange County.
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued illegal immigrants attempting to cross into California March 11, 2025. U.S. Coast Guard
“It’s very obvious why they come in there,” San Clemente Councilman Rick Loeffler said in February. “It seems like [federal immigration enforcement agencies] would want to have cameras here.”
Kimberly Hayek contributed to this report.
Jill McLaughlin
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Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.
