Three from Yemen try to make end run around Mexican border into US

Breitbart:

San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended eight migrants including three men from Yemen during a failed human smuggling attempt off the California coast.

During the early morning hours of February 21, the Joint Harbor Operations Center notified Border Patrol agents about a suspicious boat approaching U.S. waters. Border Patrol agents operating surveillance equipment located the boat in the dense fog, according to information obtained from San Diego Sector Border Patrol officials.

Agents arrived in the area and found the small boat beached north of the Coronado State Beach, officials reported. As they approached, the agents observed eight people jumping out of the boat and running to avoid apprehension.

The agents pursued the migrants and apprehended five almost immediately. A search of the immediate area led to the apprehension of the other three, the statement reports.

Agents conducted immigration interviews and identified three of the men as Yemeni nationals. The other five came to the U.S. from Mexico, officials stated.

Border Patrol officials reported the eight men ranged in age from 19 to 36. They were all illegally present in the United States.

“The collaboration and effectiveness of our maritime partnerships is well illustrated by this smuggling incident,” San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke said in a written statement. “Additionally, inclement weather conditions and approaching storms increase the dangers of maritime smuggling at sea.”
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I suspect they used the sea approach because of the effectiveness of the border fence in Southern California.  Apparently, human smugglers are now starting to try that route on a regular basis. 

The story does not indicate why the Yemenis were trying to sneak in but Yemen has been a base for an Iranian proxy war against Saudi Arabia and has also had several al Qaeda operatives.