CBP continues with what it does best, enforce our Nation's immigration laws!

 

CBP expands maritime interdiction efforts in four major regions

CBP’s Air and Marine Operations will be working with Coast Guard crew and other federal partners to detect and interdict vessels used by cartels, foreign terrorist organizations and other criminal networks, CBP says

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor justthenews.com 8-30-26

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is expanding maritime interdiction efforts in four major regions in U.S. coastal and international waters.

It has established four new “Customs Enforcement Areas,” expanding its enforcement jurisdiction from 12 to 24 nautical miles in designated waters adjacent to South Florida, Southern California, Puerto Rico and the Gulf Coast of Texas, it says.

“Smuggling organizations have exploited the outer edge of traditional customs waters by positioning vessels beyond the 12 nautical mile boundary, transferring illicit cargo at sea, and coordinating landings along remote shorelines,” CBP said. “The new designations strengthen CBP’s ability to counter those tactics and align its customs enforcement authority in these areas with the 24-nautical mile U.S. contiguous zone.”

CBP’s Air and Marine Operations will be working with Coast Guard crew and other federal partners to detect and interdict vessels used by cartels, foreign terrorist organizations and other criminal networks, CBP says. The designations provide a more consistent customs enforcement authority across these waters and support the investigation and prosecution of maritime smugglers, it adds.

“The ocean is not a safe haven for cartels and smugglers,” CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said. “These designations give our agents the room to act sooner and stop threats before they reach the American people. If you are moving drugs, contraband, or people toward our shores, expect us to find you.”

The expanded authority was established to carry out directives in two executive orders issued by the president to secure U.S. borders, including at sea, to enhance operational control in areas facing ongoing maritime smuggling threats. The orders, EO 14165 and EO 14411, direct the Department of Homeland Security and its agencies, including CBP and the Coast Guard, to advance border security measures and bolster enforcement of customs laws.

The announcement comes after a Texas Operation Lone Star Task Force discovered that cartels were moving people, drugs, stolen cars and contraband from Texas into Mexico and across the Gulf to major ports in Florida, The Center Square exclusively reported.

It also comes as CBP AMO officers continue to arrest illegal foreign nationals at sea, interdicting smuggling attempts off the coast of Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The latest arrests are of citizens from the Dominican Republic, India, Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Haiti and others.

Coast Guard crew are also continuing to apprehend illegal foreign nationals at sea off the coast of California. A recent interdiction involved apprehending nine aboard a panga-style vessel approximately 7 miles west of San Diego. In another interdiction effort, they apprehended another nine attempting illegal entry into the U.S. from Mexico via southern California. After spotting a 22-foot Seaswirl vessel entering Mission Bay, they intercepted it and apprehended all nine on board.

In another successful interdiction effort, AMO officers and Coast Guard crew apprehended 21 illegal foreign nationals approximately 14 miles west of San Clemente Island. AMO and Coast Guard Los Angeles-Long Beach watchstanders responded after receiving a call from a “Good Samaritan” who reported “a suspected alien smuggling vessel” near San Clemente Island.

AMO interdiction agents located the vessel and interdicted it. They also attempted to save a man’s life on board who was unresponsive by providing emergency care. He was transported to a medical center by helicopter but was later pronounced dead despite medical personnel efforts, CBP said.

In other interdiction efforts, Coast Guard crew continue to apprehend dozens in San Diego’s Harbor near Ballast Point. The most recent vessel was intercepted approximately 11 miles offshore of Point Loma. In this case, Coast Guard crew identified a 20-foot cuddy cabin vessel, intercepted it, launched a boarding team to investigate and discovered five illegal foreign nationals on board. In another, Coast Guard crew identified an 18-foot Sea Ray vessel 7 miles offshore of Point Loma, intercepted it and apprehended seven illegal foreign nationals.

In all cases, everyone apprehended was turned over to the custody of U.S. Border Patrol.

This is after Coast Guard crew made a record number of arrests off the coast of Florida during the Biden administration, repatriating thousands to Haiti and Cuba, The Center Square reported.

In California and Texas, Coast Guard crew actively assisted with deportation flights and launched Operation River Wall to patrol approximately 260 miles of the Rio Grande River in Texas.

It also came after they again broke records in 2025, seizing record volumes of drugs and intercepting narco-trafficking vessels. They also made strides after launching Operation Pacific Viper, a counter-drug operation in the Eastern Pacific Ocean targeting cartel and transnational crime coming from Central and South America, The Center Square reported.

 

It's time for a sincere, important discussion about the most needed subject of our time!

 

Crazy vs. Common Sense

If there was ever a time to have a national discussion on our Constitution, basically Civics 101, it is now.

Aug 28, 2026 Allen West patriotpost.us

Perhaps you, like I, have heard this reference being used to describe the coming midterm election cycle. I have heard the Speaker of the House, other Republican elected officials, and media pundits use this language. I sincerely believe that this is an ineffective means of portrayal for the existential philosophical challenge to our Constitutional Republic.

If there was ever a time to have a national discussion on our Constitution, basically Civics 101, it is now. I remember, during the 2024 presidential election, the one and only debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. That debate was held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, yet there was not a single question related to the Constitution, nor any response that quoted the Constitution. To me, that is crazy and reflects what ails our American society.

Cliff Connolly of the Democratic Socialists of America (Marxists) was quoted as saying that “he and his organization hate the Constitution.” Too many are making the mistake of misclassifying these people as “socialists.” As we have discussed here, they are more than that: they are Marxists. Yes, they do embrace the Marxist socio-economic model of socialism. But, even more disturbing, their goal is no different: it is communism.

Let us not forget that it was Vladimir Lenin who stated, “The goal of socialism is communism.” And it appears that these American Marxists and their cadre of useful idiots embrace the communist change tactic of revolution, “a violent process,” in order to attain their goal here in America. This is why we must take organizations such as Antifa and the John Brown Gun Club seriously, designate them as domestic terrorist organizations, and take proper action to dismantle them.

The real description of this midterm election is Communism versus Constitutionalism, and it must be carefully, simply, concisely, and explicitly explained to the American people.

Case in point, when DSA senatorial nominee in Florida, Angie Nixon, has as her platform a wealth registry, it should give cause to not just Floridians but all Americans. The third unalienable right endowed to us by our Creator, according to John Locke’s natural rights theory, is property. Jefferson articulated it in our Declaration of Independence as the pursuit of happiness. Nixon wants the government to have access to all property owned by individuals. It is not enough for her that you pay taxes on your income. Mind you, a progressive tax system is one of Marx’s ten planks in the Communist Manifesto. Nixon wants a listing of all assets owned by individuals, yes, all. She wants it registered so the government can fully tax you. This is another aspect of Marxism, communism: the disdain for individual private property ownership.

What communism is all about is power and dominion over the individual, to bring them into a collective. How ironic that many of these young American Marxists are little spoiled rich kids themselves. The mayor of Seattle is a prime example. And something tells me that George Soros, or his son, along with every well-to-do leftist millionaire and billionaire, will be exempt from this wealth registry; yeah, that includes Bernie Sanders, who enjoys private jet travel.

It is time we refer to our Constitution when addressing these Marxists, and truthfully, all elected officials and political candidates. It is time that We the People became more informed and educated on our rule of law. In the year of my birth, 1961, the debt of the United States was approximately $289B. Here in the 65th year of life, the debt has reached $40T. How does that happen? When we stop understanding the Constitution and adhering to the enumerated powers, roles, responsibilities, and duties of the federal government, as articulated in Article I, Section 8. Just (18) enumerations. Should we be asking: are open borders constitutional? Why, of course not. Article IV, Section 4 is clear on that. Should America be a pure democracy? Nope. Article IV, Section 4 answers that question: America is a Republic.

Can we abolish law enforcement to include Immigration and Customs Enforcement? Nope. The Preamble of the Constitution declares that the United States, meaning the federal government, is to establish justice (says nothing about “social”), ensure domestic tranquility, and also provide for the common defense. That last part means you cannot abolish the Department of Defense. Sorry, I took an oath to support and DEFEND the Constitution as a military officer, not to support and War.

The modern-day American Marxists, stop calling them liberals because they are not, have declared that they are enemies of our Constitution. They, along with their Islamist cohorts, want to undermine our rule of law and replace it with something completely antithetical to our basic philosophy of governance. It is time we had this conversation with the American people, and not relegate it to trite, innocuous reality TV sound bites of “crazy versus common sense.” Common sense is becoming less common because we are not discussing it, and crazy is becoming more acceptable because we have not defined it.

This December, Christmas Day, will be the 250th anniversary of George Washington and the men of the Continental Army crossing the frozen Delaware River to defeat the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey. America, in its 250th year of independence, must cross a new Delaware River and secure the blessings of liberty. That’s in the Preamble of the Constitution.

As Thomas Paine wrote 250 years ago this December: “These are the times that try men’s souls.”

Steadfast and Loyal.

 

President Trump immigration policies are having a positive effect on countering illegal immigration.

 

Trump math vs Left’s meltdown: ICE arrests nearly 50K suspected illegals in July despite complaints

Despite criticism of a potentially lighter touch by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the numbers show that enforcement operations have only gone up.

By Amanda Head justthenews.com 8-27-26

As Trump administration detractors continue protesting, blocking traffic and decrying “cruelty," ICE last month quietly arrested nearly 50,000 people – the highest monthly total of Trump’s second term. The protests keep coming as the numbers keep climbing. Outrage, it turns out, is not a policy.

Speaking about the $2,600 stipend given to illegal immigrants to voluntarily return to their home country, Tricia McLaughlin told Just The News, "I don't think that there is a country in history that's been so generous." 

McLaughlin, who served as the assistant secretary of public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, continued, "So I'm so thrilled to see that the Trump administration continues to be successful, and we know we have two more years that we can continue to get these 10 to 15 million illegal aliens out of the country."

On Thursday, the administration announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made 49,571 arrests in July, the highest monthly total of President Donald Trump’s second term, according to agency data provided to the Deportation Data Project and analyzed by the Associated Press. 

That was a 15% jump from 43,021 arrests in June and a 70% increase from 29,241 in February, after earlier city raids and fatal encounters in Minnesota sparked protests and a potentially souring public opinion on deportations. 

ICE reported more than 350,000 removals in fiscal 2026 through mid-July, putting the agency on pace to exceed recent annual totals. For the duration of Trump's second term through the present, total removals now sit in a range of roughly 500,000 to nearly 900,000, depending on whether voluntary departures and other returns are included, according to both independent analyses and DHS statements. 

Detention bookings have exceeded 610,000 since Trump's second-term inauguration.

Controversy led to efficiency 

Large demonstrations erupted last summer after ICE raids in Los Angeles, drawing solidarity protests in multiple cities and criticism from Democratic officials who called the operations intimidation. 

Nationwide “No Kings” rallies in October 2025 reportedly drew millions. Smaller “ICE Out” protests, school walkouts and vigils have continued into 2026, often organized by immigrant-rights groups, Indivisible chapters and socialist organizations. Elected Democrats have joined some marches and accused the administration of targeting people without criminal records.

Then, after January's fatal ICE-involved shootings in Minnesota sparked protests and a dip in arrests, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin shifted toward lower-profile tactics. Operations moved away from televised city raids toward traffic stops, immigration check-ins, courthouse arrests and partnerships with state and local police. 

During Mullin's Senate confirmation hearing earlier this year, he pledged to keep ICE out of the news headlines and said, "I do believe there is a better approach. ... There is an approach that can happen, but we need partners."

As a result, the figures show that enforcement has continued to rise even after the administration has reportedly shifted from high-profile urban operations to quieter tactics and partnerships with local police.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Texas and Florida – which rely heavily on 287(g) agreements that allow for joint operations between ICE and state and local law enforcement – accounted for a large share of July 2026 arrests. 

ICE also began focusing on individuals whose temporary protections, including Haitian Temporary Protective Status (TPS), had been revoked. Hiring continued, detention capacity expanded and arrests rebounded to record levels. 

The inception of the largest deportation operation in history

Upon entering office in 2025, Trump signed executive orders declaring a border emergency, expanding expedited removal nationwide and lifting Biden-era limits on interior enforcement. 

Officials set daily arrest targets that rose from 1,200 to as high as 3,000, directed ICE to operate at courthouses, workplaces and previously sensitive locations, and poured billions into hiring and detention beds. 

High-profile operations began in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis, as the administration also rapidly expanded 287(g) partnerships that deputize local police for immigration duties. Arrests more than quadrupled from late-Biden levels within months as the focus shifted from the border to people already living inside the country.

 

In spite of 'sanctuary cities and states' illegal actions, ICE continues to do it job!

 

ICE arrests jumped to nearly 50K in July: Report

The new figures of 49,571 arrests, mark the highest single monthly arrest total of the second Trump administration, and is a 15% boost from 43,021 arrests made in June. It also marks a 70% increase from the 29,241 arrested in February.

By Misty Severi justthenews.com 8-20-26

Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests jumped last month to approximately 50,000 for the month of July, according to data reviewed by the Associated Press on Tuesday.

The new figures of 49,571 arrests, mark the highest single monthly arrest total of the second Trump administration, and is a 15% boost from 43,021 arrests made in June. It also marks a 70% increase from the 29,241 arrested in February, the outlet reported.

The numbers come amid a surge in hiring at ICE and includes the arrests of Haitian migrants who were in the United States legally until their Temporary Protected Status designation expired. ICE has also made arrests during minor traffic stops. 

The increase also comes after state and local police departments partner with ICE to arrest illegal migrants and the number of arrests by local and state officers has also dramatically increased over the last year. Those partnerships accounted for 6,500 arrests in July, which is approximately 13% of the total arrests.

Florida and Texas saw the highest amount of arrests, making up nearly 20,000 of the July arrests between the two of them.

ICE is also continuing its crackdown on illegal immigration in the Washington, D.C., area, including in Virginia and Maryland suburbs. A recent two-week operation saw agents nab 1,328 illegal migrants, including roughly 400 with prior criminal convictions.