The U.S. Coast Guard's War on Human Smuggling

Puts a human face on both undocumented migrants and those who enforce policy

"Illustrates the complexities and heartbreak of attempting to enforce U.S. immigration laws." —David Kyle, University of California, Davis

"Noble skillfully interweaves tales of bravery, compassion and skill on the part of U.S. Coast Guard servicemen with moving portraits of those willing to risk their lives in dank, overcrowded holds and on rickety rafts for a chance at a new life in the U.S."—Kelly M. Greenhill, author ofWeapons of Mass Migration: Forced Displacement, Coercion and Foreign Policy

Of all the hot-button issues facing the United States in the early twenty-first century, perhaps none is presently generating more passion than illegal immigration. But what the vociferous public debates and sound bites often miss is that the story is far larger than the land border with Mexico.

The U.S. Coast Guard has been charged with preventing undocumented migrants from entering the country for its entire existence. Best known, perhaps, for rescuing lives and preventing the smuggling of goods, the USCG is the only branch of the armed forces actually charged with law enforcement.

Dennis Noble highlights the policies, strategy, and tactics used by the U.S. Coast Guard in enforcing immigration laws. But throughout, the focus remains on the human stories—both those of the small group of men and women charged with carrying out a difficult mission as well as those of the desperate men and women willing to risk their lives for a chance to escape crushing poverty or persecution.

In many cases, the service’s interdiction responsibilities go hand in glove with rescue operations. As Rear Admiral Arthur E. Brooks puts it, "You can’t do migrant operations without having your heart broken."

Dennis L. Noble retired from the U.S. Coast Guard as a Senior Chief Marine Science Technician. He is the author of numerous articles and a dozen books, including The Rescue of the Gale Runner and Captain "Hell Roaring" Mike Healy. A past recipient of the U.S. Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award, he lives in Sequim, Washington.