FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2025
Alyssa Napuri – Deputy Chief of Staff
(657) 334-4930 (text preferred) | Alyssa.Napuri@ocgov.com
Raymond Rodriguez
202-407-0805 | Raymond.rodriguez@mail.house.gov
Vice Chair Katrina Foley and Congressman Mike Levin Release Statement Following Capture of Undocumented Migrants by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in Dana Point
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol responded to a concerned citizen who reported an unregistered boat in their docks in Dana Point Harbor. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol also arrived at the scene and detained multiple individuals, and impounded the vessel used to traffic undocumented migrants into Orange County through the Dana Point Harbor. While Border Patrol successfully detained approximately a dozen migrants, others were able to escape due to a coordinated look out effort and getaway vehicles. Investigations continue and inquiries can be directed to United States Customs and Border Patrol.
“Today, we are reminded how crucial the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol are for our Homeland Security,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Public safety remains our top priority while Congress works to fix a foundationally broken immigration system. This brazen and coordinated effort to bring migrants onto our shores is unsafe for our community, as getaway drivers frantically sped away from the Harbor, and dangerous for the migrants who were transported in nefarious conditions.”
“Protecting our coast includes supporting our law enforcement and providing them the tools to prevent unauthorized crossings of our border, whether by land, air, or sea.” said U.S. Congressman Mike Levin. “I thank the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol for addressing boater safety issues and federal immigration agents for their swift, efficient, and effective enforcement of federal law. Last Congress, I helped advance a maritime border security bill to the House floor that would strengthen U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s capabilities to protect our nation’s maritime borders by extending U.S. customs waters from 12 to 24 nautical miles -- doubling the range they can enforce border protection. This expanded jurisdiction will allow CBP to respond more quickly and effectively to emerging threats in our waters, such as suspect vessels like the one apprehended today.
###
Vice Chair Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), OCFA Legislation & Public Affairs Committee Chair, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee Vice Chair, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Co-Chair, Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair, and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
