Coast Guard 'Engaged In Disabling Fire' While Pursuing Boat Carrying Three Migrants In San Diego

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announced that it interdicted a boat carrying three migrants in San Diego after engaging in "disabling fire" while pursuing the vessel.

The body added in a social media publication that the boat was 16 feet long and the incident took place near Imperial Beach. Officers also found an "operator" along with the three migrants on the boat.

Several such incidents have taken place over the past months, especially as the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration discourages migrants to take land routes to enter the U.S.

In May, a Coast Guard ship also opened fire at a boat during a high-speed chase. Then, officials followed the boat as it entered San Diego Bay, calling on a crew out on a routine patrol to intercept it. However, once they attempted to establish communication, the ship took off.

After verbal commands went unanswered, the boat fired a series of warning shots. A lack of compliance then led the Coast Guard to fire four shots at the boat's engine.

The crew then boarded the ship and detained all eight migrants aboard, including five adults and two teenagers.

The episode took place shortly after a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of California, killing at least three people.

In a post on X , the U.S. Coast Guard Southern California said that between April 20 and 26 there were seven other illegal maritime smuggling attempts involving 41 people near the U.S.-Mexico border.

"Every attempt by sea is extremely dangerous—overloaded boats, freezing waters, and violent surf can turn deadly in seconds. Don't take to the sea," the Coast Guard warned.