The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday rescued 21 suspected undocumented migrants adrift in a boat 12 miles off the San Diego coast.
The two women and 19 men were spotted in a 25-foot panga boat by a fishing boat that notified the Coast Guard about 10 a.m. The Coast Guard station in San Diego dispatched a rescue boat and the 87-foot cutter Haddock.
After being brought to San Diego, the 21 were taken into custody by the U.S. Border Patrol.
With overland routes being blocked by increased enforcement, undocumented migrants have turned to perilous efforts by boat to reach the U.S. in recent years, officials said.
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Photo: A Coast Guard crewman from the cutter Haddock watches as suspected undocumented migrants arrive in San Diego after being rescued. Credit: Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Connie Terrell.
