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Aguadilla, Puerto Rico - Luis Fortuño, the Resident Commissioner in Washington, visited today the U.S. Coast Guard Borinquen Air Base in Aguadilla, the offices of the U.S. Border Patrol and the installations of the U.S. Immigration Service’s Detention Center as part of his role as member of the Transportation Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. The purpose of the visit was to familiarize himself with the challenges faced by the Coast Guard in its efforts to fight drug trafficking and illegal migration. Fortuño also participated in a ceremony in which two Coast Guardsmen were awarded the “Air Medal” in recognition of their performance during a rescue mission that took place last December in Vega Alta.
“The Coast Guard carries out a critical role not only in the national security area, but also in the fight against drug trafficking and alien migrant interdiction. In many cases, these immigrants are victims of unscrupulous people who take advantage of their desperate situation, leading them to risk their lives in search for a better future. I’m here today to pay well-deserved tribute to Salvador Carire and Eric Bednorz who last December 3rd participated in heroic acts that led to the rescue of more than 80 illegal aliens trying to reach our coasts,” Fortuño said.
In addition to visiting the facilities, the Resident Commissioner over flew the Mona passage to observe the conditions of the area that thousands of immigrants from Dominican Republic use for the crossing. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is currently evaluating the budget that will be allocated to the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2006.
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