Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, the captain of a boat that capsized in New York harbor, killing a 27-year-old woman and her five-month-old daughter, has been taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The federal agency announced it intends to deport him after the criminal case concludes.
Deadly incident near Statue of Liberty
The capsizing occurred on 8 August near the Statue of Liberty. Authorities received a 911 call at approximately 10.25pm, prompting a major emergency response that included multiple boat teams, a scuba team, and a helicopter unit. The New York Police Department (NYPD) identified the victims as Sara Sanchez, 27, and her daughter Antonella, who were pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Hernandez-Umana, 46, faces federal charges related to the incident. New York authorities have charged him with two counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death.
Immigration status revealed during investigation
On 10 August, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE's parent agency, announced that the US Coast Guard investigation revealed Hernandez-Umana is in the country illegally. According to DHS, Hernandez-Umana is from El Salvador and lied to a border patrol officer when he crossed from Mexico into Texas in 2007, falsely claiming to be a US citizen.
“Once he faces justice for his crimes, we will make sure that he is swiftly removed from our country,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.
Broader immigration enforcement context
Hernandez-Umana’s arrest comes as the Trump administration intensifies its immigration crackdown. In recent months, federal agents have arrested hundreds of immigrants across New York and New Jersey, disproportionately targeting people from Latin American countries. According to numbers released last month, the Trump administration has deported more than 590,600 people since January 2025.
