Nearly two dozen suspected illegal migrants docked a boat at a luxurious California marina, Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, on Thursday morning before disappearing into a nearby neighborhood. A video posted online shows at least 20 migrants abandoning the white boat and jumping fenced-off areas. In response, Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill expressed concern and stated that he was working with the O.C. Sheriff’s Department to find ways to improve the situation.
California’s sanctuary state measure prohibits law enforcement from arresting or detaining migrants who enter the US illegally. Maritime smuggling in California has risen significantly, with 736 incidents reported in 2024, a 140 percent increase from 2020, according to Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. O’Neill emphasized the seriousness of the nation’s border crisis and criticized the approaches taken by the administrations in D.C. and Sacramento, calling for better enforcement of laws.
This incident in Newport Beach comes just two weeks after a speedboat carrying dozens of migrants landed ashore in Carlsbad, 58 miles south of Newport Beach. The group narrowly missed a surfer before piling into a black SUV and speeding off. Witnesses described the incident as a planned deal, with one resident mentioning that it looked like a military exercise. One beachgoer who filmed the migrants mentioned that even police and border patrol had never caught such an incident live before.
In December, another incident occurred where two dozen migrants scattered onto shore on a Malibu beach near singer Barbra Streisand’s mansion. These incidents highlight the increasing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in California due to the rise in maritime smuggling and illegal immigration. Officials are working to address these issues and improve enforcement efforts to control the situation. The influx of illegal migrants has also raised concerns regarding public safety and the need for better border security measures. Efforts are being made to enhance collaboration between local and federal agencies to tackle these issues effectively.
