The U.S. Coast Guard has redirected some of its operational resources to support the increase in deportations of detained immigrants, amid the tightening of immigration policy by the current administration.
The report was published by NBC News, which notes that the increasing use of aircraft by the service to transport migrants to expulsion centers has displaced traditional missions such as maritime patrols, surveillance, and search and rescue operations.
Data collected by the ICE Flight Monitor organization indicate that more than 750 flights were diverted from their usual functions to tasks related to deportations.
According to the media, the increase in these flights occurred rapidly last year, with a notable jump between June and November.
Some airports, such as the one in Sacramento, are said to have received directives placing the internal transport of detained immigrants among their main operational priorities.
The context of this decision is linked to President Donald Trump's immigration strategy, which has set ambitious goals regarding deportations.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, oversees the implementation of these measures within the Department of Homeland Security, under which the Coast Guard operates.
Cited sources in the report indicated that the reallocation of resources has caused discomfort among officials, particularly because search and rescue has historically been viewed as the central mission of the institution.
Some officials have expressed concern about the impact that this change could have on the culture and internal morale of the organization.
The Department of Homeland Security rejected the existence of a formal directive prioritizing deportations over emergency missions.
A spokesperson stated that the Coast Guard remains prepared to respond to rescue operations and balances its various responsibilities without neglecting maritime safety.
The tension described by NBC News arises at a time of heightened public scrutiny of U.S. immigration policy, which has sparked debates both domestically and abroad regarding the extent and methods used to achieve deportation goals.
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