ICE Arrests Illegal Immigrant Boat Captain in Deadly New York Harbor Capsizing

Federal immigration authorities have arrested the captain of a boat that capsized in New York Harbor earlier this month, killing a young mother and her 5-month-old daughter — and the man is an illegal immigrant who now faces deportation, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, 46, a native of El Salvador, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after local authorities released him on August 10 on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond, DHS said in a statement Wednesday. The Trump administration is now moving to remove him from the United States.

“Once he faces justice for his crimes, we will make sure that he is swiftly removed from our country,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.

Deadly Capsizing Near Liberty Island

The tragedy unfolded on August 8, when the boat Hernandez-Umana was operating capsized near Liberty Island, killing 27-year-old Sara Sanchez and her daughter, Antonella Garcia, according to NBC News. The vessel had been carrying a group of passengers on a tour of the Statue of Liberty when it went over, tossing everyone aboard into the water.

According to charging documents cited by NBC, Hernandez-Umana failed to register the boat and lacked the certification required to operate it in the harbor with paying customers. He also did not have infant-sized flotation devices on board — a detail that would prove fatal.

The boat, which had a capacity of 10, was reportedly carrying 14 people at the time of the capsizing, including Hernandez-Umana himself. NBC reported that the captain allegedly did not know the boat’s capacity.

Alleged Misconduct and Neglect

Hernandez-Umana now faces two counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death. He is accused of operating the vessel in a manner that endangered passengers, and the charging documents paint a picture of a charter operation that cut corners at every turn.

According to NBC, the boat Hernandez-Umana was using belonged to a friend. His own vessel was undergoing repairs, so he borrowed the replacement to take the group out near the Statue of Liberty. The tour proceeded for about three hours and 20 minutes before Hernandez-Umana made a U-turn that sent the boat into a swell, causing it to capsize.

The mother of the infant, Sara Sanchez, had allegedly raised concerns before boarding. NBC reported that Antonella’s parents told Hernandez-Umana they did not have an infant-sized flotation device for their baby. He reportedly told them he didn’t have one either, and instructed one of the parents to wear a flotation device and hold the baby during the tour. Sanchez did exactly that — but it wasn’t enough to save her or her daughter when the boat went over.

Illegal Entry and False Claims

Hernandez-Umana’s immigration status has now become a central part of the case. According to DHS, he claimed he entered the United States illegally through Texas in 2007, lying to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer and falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen to gain entry.

That admission, combined with his arrest record in the capsizing case, has made him a priority for the Trump administration’s deportation efforts. DHS has made clear that Hernandez-Umana will remain in custody while his criminal case proceeds, and that removal proceedings will follow.

Federal Response

The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) has been involved in the case from the start, and its assistant director made plain the agency’s view of what happened.

“Illegal charter operations gamble with human life, and in this case, the alleged conduct led to an unthinkable tragedy,” Josh Packer said. “As the Coast Guard’s criminal investigative agency, CGIS brings unmatched maritime subject-matter expertise coupled with federal law enforcement authority.”

The case has drawn renewed attention to the risks of unlicensed and unregistered charter boats operating in New York Harbor, particularly those that carry passengers without proper safety equipment. Federal officials have also highlighted the immigration angle, with DHS touting the arrest as an example of its broader enforcement efforts.

Hernandez-Umana remains in ICE custody as of Wednesday. His criminal trial will proceed first, after which deportation proceedings would move forward, according to DHS.

Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/captain-who-capsized-boat-killing-mother-and-baby-is-an-illegal-immigrant