U.S. Coast Guard Airlifts Migrants for Expedited Deportation Amid Border Crackdown

The U.S. Coast Guard has started deportation flights to Texas and California, moving arrested migrants as part of a more considerable immigration enforcement effort by the Department of Homeland Security. The flights began on January 25 in reaction to an emergency declaration by President Donald Trump about border security.

The Coast Guard announced that it is sending out staff and planes from several air bases, including those in Elizabeth City, Kodiak, Sacramento, San Diego, and Hawaii. These tools are being used to help the federal government's immigration enforcement activities.

Photos from the Coast Guard showed refugees being held on U.S. planes as they were taken to places for deportation. Although the exact number of planes or people involved is not provided, officials stated that the operation aims to strengthen national security and stop illegal crossings.

Some countries expecting to take in returned migrants are opposing the deportation plan. Mexico has said no to taking back deportees, while Colombia first said no, to,o but later agreed to take some groups.

Adm. Kevin Lunday, temporarily in charge of the Coast Guard, said the agency is collaborating with Homeland Security and the Department of Defense to protect U.S. borders. "Today's operation shows how well we work together to spot, stop, and prevent illegal migration and other dangers before they get to our border," Lunday said.

As immigration enforcement becomes stricter under Trump’s new rules, the Coast Guard's involvement in deportations shows a more military-style way of handling border security.

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