Coast Guard Stops Boat Carrying 5 Migrants Off Point Loma

SAN DIEGO, CA — The U.S. Coast Guard stopped a boat carrying five migrants off the coast of San Diego, officials said.

The interception happened around 7 p.m. Sunday when Coast Guard San Diego personnel spotted a 20-foot vessel heading north toward Mission Bay after crossing the maritime boundary line, according to the Coast Guard. A 36-foot Coast Guard vessel deployed to make the interception about 2.5 miles southwest of Point Loma.

All five suspected migrants aboard the boat were taken into custody, officials said. Three of the five individuals claimed Mexican nationality, one claimed Guatemalan nationality, and one claimed Peruvian nationality.

The vessel and the migrants were taken to Ballast Point to be transferred to another agency within the Department of Homeland Security.