Rep. Mike Levin Calls For $60 Million in Federal Funding to Prevent Future Boat Smuggling Incidents

Rep. Mike Levin Calls For $60 Million in Federal Funding to Prevent Future Boat Smuggling Incidents | U.S. Congressman Mike Levin Skip to content I Want to Hear from You About Your Health Care Concerns. NEW: Rep. Levin Announces New District Data Map to Showcase Federal Project Funding. Close About Services Federal Project Funding Map Federal Policy Impact Resources Clean Energy Tax Credits Help With A Federal Agency Constituent Success Stories Grants Applicants Commendations and Greetings Tours and Tickets Military Academy Nominations Internships Flags Surplus Books Program Art Competition Constituent of the Month Congressional App Challenge Vietnam War 50th Commemoration Program Member-Designated Transportation Projects Community Project Funding Requests The Congressional Award News Press Releases In The News Op-Eds Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscription Offices Internships Request a Meeting with Rep. Levin Website Problem I Want To Hear From You Español Close Search Site SEARCH About Services Federal Project Funding Map Federal Policy Impact Resources Clean Energy Tax Credits Help With A Federal Agency Constituent Success Stories Grants Applicants Commendations and Greetings Tours and Tickets Military Academy Nominations Internships Flags Surplus Books Program Art Competition Constituent of the Month Congressional App Challenge Vietnam War 50th Commemoration Program Member-Designated Transportation Projects Community Project Funding Requests The Congressional Award News Press Releases In The News Op-Eds Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscription Offices Internships Request a Meeting with Rep. Levin Website Problem I Want To Hear From You MENU Español Search Instagram Icon Twitter Icon Facebook Icon Youtube Icon Bluesky Icon Home News Press Releases May 12, 2025 Rep. Mike Levin Calls For $60 Million in Federal Funding to Prevent Future Boat Smuggling Incidents Rep. Levin & local leaders demand federal funding Del Mar, CA. – Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) demanded Congress provide $60 million in federal funding for autonomous surveillance towers (ASTs) to prevent future boat smuggling incidents like the recent incident off the coast of Del Mar. On May 5 th , a panga boat carrying 18 people capsized off the coast of Del Mar leaving three dead and four injured. The boat is suspected to have been smuggling migrants and one individual from the boat is still presumed missing. Five people were charged in San Diego federal court in connection with the smuggling attempt. The funding would purchase ASTs that are equipped with cameras, radar, and infrared technology to identify and help intercept maritime threats, like migrant smuggling. In addition to the ASTs, Rep. Levin called for Customs and Border Protection, in consultation with the Coast Guard, to better detail to Congress their personnel and equipment needs. “I’m grateful to the brave first responders and law enforcement who responded swiftly to last week’s incident,” said Rep.  Mike Levin. “This incident makes it abundantly clear we need bipartisan reform to fix our broken immigration system. That’s why I’m doing everything I can to obtain funding, resources, and technology to secure our maritime borders, which is critically important in reducing drug and human trafficking. I’m working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do everything I can to advance common sense reforms and ensure our coastal borders are protected.” Rep. Levin has repeatedly supported legislation to directly address maritime smuggling and border security. Last Congress, Rep. Levin voted in support of the Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act , which would extend U.S. customs waters from twelve nautical miles to twenty-four nautical miles. Rep. Levin recently helped re-introduce the bill this Congress and it has bipartisan support in the House and the Senate. “Del Mar’s Fire Department and Lifeguards were some of the first responders to provide aid, along with Lifeguard staff from Solana Beach. Bystanders and contractors working along the bluffs also responded to provide help. Their willingness to help those in need without regard for their own safety undoubtedly saved lives that morning,” said Del Mar Mayor Terry Gaasterland.” It is important to underscore that incidents like these are dangerous and put everyone involved at risk. We support efforts to bring the criminals responsible for these human smuggling activities to justice and to prevent this activity from continuing in the future. I want to thank Congressman Levin for being here today to shine a light on this important topic.” ### Print Email Share Tweet Next Article Previous Article About Serving You News Contact Issues Privacy Policy Twitter Icon Facebook Icon Youtube Icon Bluesky Icon