THE sound of gunshots rings out across San Diego bay as US Coast Guard officers show how they would intercept any migrants trying to cross from Mexico.
Like the UK, America is facing an .
Gunshots ring out over San Diego Bay as a US Coast Guard boat demonstrates how it intercepts migrant crossings from Mexico Credit: Supplied
A US Coast Guard boat prepares to take to the waters – in search of migrants trying to cross from Mexico Credit: Supplied
But in ’s America, stopping the boats looks very different to under the White Cliffs of Dover.
Mexican cartels trying to bypass the 30ft border wall use fishing boats, jet skis, and sailing to evade authorities and drop people off on beaches.
In the UK, anyone on a small boat is picked up by our while at sea and taken ashore in Kent where their are processed.
For a Mexican cartel caught smuggling people it is a different story.
The force can also call up helicopters to back up its water-based arsenal Credit: Supplied
The Sun’s Julia Atherely joined the US Coast Guard on a demonstration of force in the battle against illegal migration and drug cartels Credit: Supplied
The US Coast Guard first fire firecrackers towards the vessel, while verbal warnings are given that the boat should stop immediately.
If they do not comply, next is pepper spray pellets, which irritate the eyes and nose once they hit their target.
The final step – shooting out the engine – used to require approval from a supervisor before live firearms could be deployed.
Under the Trump administration, Coast Guard officers can make the decision themselves.
While Brit authorities pick up migrants and bring them ashore, The US Coastguard takes a much stronger and more destructive approach to criminals attempting to enter its territory Credit: Supplied
The US Coast Guard said it intercepted or deterred more than 11,000 would-be migrants in 2025 Credit: Supplied
Once the engine has been disabled – or blown to pieces – agents can board the boat before handing any passengers over to Border Patrol detention.
Last week when officers boarded a 20-foot boat off the coast of San Clemente Island along the Californian coast, they found 10 Mexican migrants hiding below deck.
The US Coastguard – which has an annual budget of $12.1 billion – says it has increased interceptions of migrant boats and narcotic smugglers by 44 per cent compared to in 2024.
The force said they intercepted or deterred more than 11,000 would-be migrants in 2025.
Mexican cartels trying to bypass the 30ft border wall use fishing boats, jet skis, and sailing yachts to evade authorities and drop people off on beaches Credit: Supplied
The US Coastguard – which has an annual budget of $12.1 billion – says it has increased interceptions of migrant boats and narcotic smugglers by 44 per cent Credit: Supplied
Even with the Coast Guard, Border Patrol, and the out on the sea, gangs are still trying to reach the US and travel further out from the coast to evade detection.
Jeff Stephenson, Supervisor for the Public Affairs Office of sector Border Patrol, and his team regularly see jet skis used by the cartels to drop off migrants in the shallow waters near California’s coastline, and swimmers who attempt to bring themselves into the US.
Speaking to The Sun in Imperial Beach, where Trump’s border wall descends into the Pacific, he said. “The water’s pretty rough down there, and there’s a rip current almost constantly.
“It’s a very dangerous endeavor, but at the end of the day, the criminal cartels don’t really care about the people they’re smuggling.”
Back in the UK, 1,128 people have been picked up by Border Force in the in the last five days alone.
Over the last eight years since the crisis began in 2018, more than from across the narrow 21-mile strait.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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