Maritime Safety and Immigration Enforcement

The U.S. Coast Guard redeployed its Newport, Oregon rescue helicopter to North Bend, roughly 95 miles away, without prior notice to local officials or fishing families, prompting safety concerns. Local businesses report being contacted about providing services for a prospective facility at the Newport airport that many believe could be for ICE, fueling perceptions that DHS is prioritizing immigration enforcement over maritime safety; similar Coast Guard facility repurposing is reportedly being considered on Staten Island.