Michel O. Maceda Memorial Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bipartisan legislation, H.R. 5302, the Michel O. Maceda Memorial Act. This bill will designate the Mayaguez Marine Unit of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations or CBP AMO in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, in honor of Marine Interdiction Agent Michel Maceda, who died in the line of duty while conducting a drug interdiction operation off the island's coast.

On the morning of November 17, 2022, CBP AMO agents were alerted of a suspicious vessel located approximately 13 miles off the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico.

Marine Interdiction Agents Michel Maceda, Jorge Santiago, and Mark Lamphere arrived in the area to intercept the boat suspected of smuggling cocaine. As they were boarding the vessel, one of the drug traffickers opened fire on them.

Agents Santiago and Lamphere were gravely injured. Agent Santiago has thankfully recovered and is back to full duty. Agent Lamphere continues the long recovery from his wounds in anticipation of returning to full duty soon. It has been 2 years.

Unfortunately, Agent Maceda was mortally wounded during the shoot-out and passed away later that day in the hospital.

Agent Maceda began his CBP career in April of 2016 as a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Douglas, Arizona. In 2021, he transferred to AMO and served as a marine interdiction agent with the Mayaguez Marine Unit in Puerto Rico until the time of his death. Prior to joining CBP, Agent Maceda honorably served our Nation in the U.S. Army as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. He is survived by his daughter, brother, and parents.

Agent Maceda's death is a stark reminder of the dangers our CBP agents face each day to secure our Nation's borders, including our Caribbean border in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. His sacrifice is also a testament to their bravery and unwavering commitment to keep our communities safe.

For the heroic actions during the November of 2022 drug interdiction operation off Puerto Rico's coast, which led to the seizure of over 2,900 pounds of cocaine, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy recognized Agent Maceda, CBP AMO's Caribbean air and marine branch, and partners from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau with a 2022 Marine Interdiction Award.

In February of 2023, CBP began construction of a new modernized facility for the Mayaguez Marine Unit, Agent Maceda's unit, to support its critical border security mission in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean region. I had the honor of attending the groundbreaking ceremony and made a commitment to work in Congress to rename the unit after this American hero. I am glad that today we are one step closer to making this a reality.

Agent Maceda gave his life protecting Puerto Rico and the rest of our Nation from the threats posed by drug traffickers and transnational criminal organizations. Officially designating the CBP AMO Mayaguez Marine Unit as the Michel Maceda Marine Unit will be a fitting tribute to his memory and sacrifice.

I thank the Homeland Security Committee chair, Mr. Green, and the ranking member for cosponsoring and helping bring this bill to the floor, but I also thank Senator Rick Scott of Florida, who introduced a companion version of my bill.

Let me also thank the men and women of CBP for their work to secure our Nation's land and maritime borders and their support for this legislation to honor their fallen colleague. In particular, I recognize AMO Executive Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Miller and CBP's Office of Congressional Affairs for their assistance and advocacy for this bill.

Lastly, I commend the Federal and local law enforcement agencies in Puerto Rico who have made it a priority to seek justice for Agent Maceda and ensure those responsible for his death face the consequences of their crime.

A joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security investigations, with the collaboration of CBP, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau targeted the drug trafficking organizations responsible for killing Agent Maceda and injuring his two partners. As of today, Federal agencies have arrested, and the U.S. Attorney's office has indicted, 18 individuals.

As we approach the 2-year anniversary of his death, I urge my colleagues in the House to support H.R. 5302 and ensure we honor Marine Interdiction Agent Maceda's life, sacrifice, and the legacy of his service.

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