Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill has criticized state lawmakers following the Coast Guard’s interception of a boat carrying 21 migrants about a mile off the city’s coast on Thursday.
According to FOX 11 Los Angeles, 18 of the migrants detained were from Mexico, while the remaining three included two from Uzbekistan and one from Russia.
Speaking about the incident, O’Neill expressed frustration with California lawmakers. “You cannot continue to treat every city in California like a border city,” he said. “We have real problems, and we need you to fix them now. This is affecting real people in cities across the state.”
The migrants were apprehended Thursday night by Coast Guard crews who noticed suspicious activity on the 34-foot fishing vessel. The boat contained a stack of life jackets, and Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Levi Read stated that while boats are frequently encountered, this vessel carried an unusually high number of passengers.
O’Neill highlighted his concerns about broader issues with immigration enforcement, particularly citing the arrival of migrants from Uzbekistan as evidence of systemic problems. “Every city in California now is essentially a border city thanks to SB 54,” he said, referencing the “California Values Act.”
Implemented in 2018, SB 54—commonly referred to as a “sanctuary state” law—limits cooperation between state law enforcement and federal immigration officials. O’Neill criticized the law, claiming it leaves local authorities powerless to assist federal agencies in preventing incidents like this.
The 21 migrants detained on Thursday were handed over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for processing.
This isn’t the first such incident in Newport Beach. In May, another group of over 20 migrants reportedly disembarked from a vessel in Newport Harbor and dispersed into the town. Video footage from that event showed individuals walking onto a pier before scattering.
O’Neill’s remarks reflect ongoing debates over immigration policies and enforcement in California, as state and federal authorities face challenges in addressing the complexities of migration at land and sea borders.
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