Lawmakers Vow to Block Use of Training Ship Golden Bear for Deportations

Two California lawmakers are demanding that the Trump administration abandon reported plans to use ships for mass deportations, including the former Cal Poly Maritime Academy training vessel Golden Bear.

Reps. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) and Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin opposing the proposal, warning that deportations by sea would present major operational, safety and legal challenges while costing taxpayers millions of dollars.

The letter follows an October 8 report by The New York Times that the administration was considering using ships to transport migrants to Central and South America. The discussions reportedly included the 500-foot Golden Bear, as well as ferries and potentially other vessels.

The proposal remains preliminary, and no decision has been announced to use the Golden Bear or any other ship for deportations.

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