The Coast Guard announced plans to "immediately" deploy "boats, cutters, aircraft, and specialized forces" to maritime borders in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, which President Donald Trump is seeking to rename as the "Gulf of America," on Tuesday. The move aims "to prevent mass illegal migration from Haiti and Cuba" and bolster the administration's border security executive orders.
In a written statement, Coast Guard Acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday highlighted the areas that would experience a surge in Coast Guard presence, including Southeast Florida, Alaska, Hawai'i, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories.
Other focus areas include the maritime borders between the U.S. and Mexico, particularly the border along the Gulf of Mexico. Lunday added that the agency would also provide "support to Customs and Border Protection on maritime portions of the southwest U.S. border."
"Together, in coordination with our Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense teammates, we will detect, deter, and interdict illegal migration, drug smuggling, and other terrorist or hostile activity before it reaches our border," Lunday stated.
Trump issued on Monday a collection of executive orders cracking down on illegal immigration. Among them was the dismissal of Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Lee Fagan. According to Politico, Fagan is the first top military officer fired under the Trump administration.
A senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official told Fox News that Fagan was removed for failing to address border threats, mismanaging key acquisitions, and putting "excessive focus" on diversity and inclusion efforts (DEI). In his inaugural address, Trump, who is a vocal opponent of DEI initiatives, pledged to "forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based."
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