Coast Guard Officials Intercept 80 People at Sea, Return Them to Dominican Republic

The Associated Press ^ | January 18, 2004 | AP

[tgslTakoma]

MIAMI (AP) - Eighty people trying to reach the United States in wooden boats were intercepted at sea and have been returned to the Dominican Republic, Coast Guard officials said.

The four boats were found in the Mona Passage between Puerto Rico and the eastern Dominican Republic.

A Coast Guard cutter intercepted one of the vessels - a 20-foot wooden boat - Friday night two miles north of Rincon, Puerto Rico. Officials found 12 people paddling the water with wooden planks.

Two more boats were later sighted 20 miles northeast of the Dominican Republic. Ships from the Coast Guard and the Dominican Republic navy rounded up 52 people.

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plane spotted the fourth boat, which was intercepted by the Puerto Rican maritime police. Officials said 16 people were aboard.

As of Jan. 8, nearly 500 people had been stopped trying to illegally enter the United States from the Dominican Republic, the Coast Guard said.

AP-ES-01-18-04 1527EST

[Beck_isright]

But they just wanted their "blue cards".

[janetgreen]

With the news of Bush's upcoming "guest" program, the borders must be VERY busy. No wonder the border patrol agents are so angry.

[Beck_isright]

I don't understand. Why can't residents of the Domincan Republic be "guest workers" too?

[StarCMC]

coast guard ping

[FITZ]

They don't have Vicente Fox making deals to export them.