In the wake of a nationwide crackdown on criminal aliens during President Donald Trump's second term, law enforcement officials in Coral Gables, Florida, have made significant arrests involving Chinese migrants and suspected smugglers from Cuba and Haiti.
Local authorities are now seeking additional support from state and federal agencies to safeguard the coastal enclave, which boasts more coastline than Miami Beach.
The recent incidents unfolded when a witness reported a suspicious man forcing a woman into a vehicle near a U-Haul van. Upon investigation, police discovered 22 Chinese migrants in the van and three individuals from Ecuador and Brazil in the car, all lacking typical tourist belongings.
Subsequently, three Cuban nationals were arrested for allegedly smuggling the migrants who had arrived by boat from the Bahamas. One of the suspects revealed receiving payment to pick up the migrants upon their arrival.
Shortly after, another group of 26 Chinese nationals was apprehended at a private marina, with two drivers - one Cuban and one Haitian - taken into custody. The police chief highlighted the need for continued vigilance in monitoring potential migration routes from the Bahamas.
These events come amidst a significant surge in illegal immigrants from China in recent years, with an increase exceeding 8,000% between 2021 and 2024. Lawmakers have expressed concerns over China's expanding influence in the region and its growing tech sector, citing potential national security risks.
