In two separate incidents in Coral Gables, Florida, law enforcement officials apprehended several individuals suspected of smuggling Chinese migrants. The first incident began with a potential kidnapping report, leading officers to a U-Haul van containing 22 individuals, primarily of Chinese descent. An additional three migrants from Ecuador and Brazil were found in a nearby Toyota Corolla. These individuals possessed valuables like phones and jewelry, but lacked typical tourist items such as luggage or extra clothing, raising suspicions among investigators. All migrants were subsequently transferred to U.S. Border Patrol custody.
Shortly after, a second group of migrants was discovered after a 911 call reported numerous people disembarking at a private marina. Police intercepted two vans shortly thereafter, finding 26 Chinese nationals inside. The drivers, one Cuban and one Haitian, were arrested, and one was found to be in possession of a firearm. While the connection between the two incidents remains unclear, both groups landed in the same vicinity, prompting increased surveillance of the suspected route from the Bahamas by local and federal authorities. Three Cuban nationals were also arrested in connection with the first group of migrants, allegedly part of a smuggling operation involving transport from the Bahamas. One suspect reportedly admitted to being offered $5,000 to collect the migrants upon their arrival.
This surge in Chinese migrants comes amidst growing concerns about China's influence in the Americas and its technological advancements, which some U.S. lawmakers view as national security threats. The number of illegal Chinese immigrants has seen a dramatic rise in recent years, with an increase exceeding 8,000% between fiscal years 2021 and 2024.
