Newport Beach, California Mayor Will O’Neill criticized state lawmakers after the Coast Guard detained 21 migrants on a boat nearly a mile off the coast. According to FOX 11 in Los Angeles, 18 of the migrants were from Mexico, while two were from Uzbekistan and one was from Russia.
O’Neill expressed his frustration, stating, “There’s no way you intend on trying to protect Uzbeki nationals coming in from our southern border. Get your act together, figure this out, because we’re having real problems affecting real people in your cities all across California. You cannot continue to treat every city in California like a border city. You cannot put us in this position. We have real problems, and we need you to fix them now.”
The Coast Guard apprehended the 21 individuals after noticing suspicious activity from the boat they were on, about a mile from shore in Newport Beach. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Levi Read mentioned that encountering boats is common, but not all of them have as many people on board.
O’Neill raised concerns about the broken system allowing people, especially from Uzbekistan, to enter the U.S. through the southern border. He highlighted the impact of SB 54, also known as the “California Values Act,” which restricts local authorities from collaborating with federal agencies to prevent such incidents.
SB 54, enacted in 2018, is considered a “sanctuary state” law that hinders cooperation between state law enforcement and federal immigration officials. This law has led to challenges for cities like Newport Beach, making them vulnerable to illegal immigration activities.
In a related incident in May, FOX 11 reported on more than 20 suspected migrants entering Newport Harbor and dispersing into the town. The fishing vessel used in Thursday’s incident was identified as a 34-foot boat with life jackets onboard.
Following the apprehension, the 21 migrants were transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is crucial for authorities to address the loopholes in the system to prevent such incidents and ensure border security.
Instances like these highlight the need for comprehensive immigration reform and better coordination between local and federal agencies to address illegal immigration effectively. The safety and security of coastal areas like Newport Beach depend on proactive measures to prevent unauthorized entries and protect the community. Collaboration and communication between different levels of government are essential to safeguarding the nation’s borders and upholding the rule of law.
