NY Harbor Captain Was Unlicensed, Here Illegally—and Killed a Mother and Baby

In news that will surprise exactly no one, the captain of the boat that capsized in New York Harbor on August 8, killing a mom and her baby, turns out to be an illegal alien from El Salvador.

After years of neglecting border security, we’ve seen murders, trucking tragedies, and now boating accidents at the hands of people who never should have been here in the first place.

This guy didn’t take advantage of Joe Biden’s welcome mat at the southern border, however — he’s been here since the George W. Bush administration.

The captain, Manuel Hernandez, 46, was initially arrested on Aug. 9, the day after the boat capsized in the harbor, killing a mother and her 5-month-old daughter. A Coast Guard investigation found that the boat was over capacity when it capsized near the Statue of Liberty and did not have life jackets for infants on board, according to a criminal complaint.
Mr. Hernandez was charged on Aug. 10 in Federal District Court in Manhattan with two counts of misconduct and neglect resulting in death. He was released on $50,000 bail. ICE agents arrested him after the Coast Guard’s investigation, the Department of Homeland Security said on Wednesday.

This illegal alien KILLED a 27-year-old MOTHER and her BABY.

Manuel Hernandez, from El Salvador, was illegally piloting a boat when he capsized the overloaded vessel in New York Harbor.

Thanks to the hard work of the men and women of @ICEgov, this criminal is off our streets… https://t.co/zxRX3SAL3l pic.twitter.com/ydBazpYwsZ
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 19, 2026

This illegal alien KILLED a 27-year-old MOTHER and her BABY.
Manuel Hernandez, from El Salvador, was illegally piloting a boat when he capsized the overloaded vessel in New York Harbor.
Thanks to the hard work of the men and women of @ICEgov, this criminal is off our streets and out of our waterways - and he will be DEPORTED after he faces justice.

Why Were They Getting Them in the First Place? Bessent Cracks Down on Tax Credits for Illegal Aliens

Hernandez reportedly crossed into Texas from Mexico in 2007 and lied to Border Patrol by claiming he was a U.S. citizen. (Seriously? It was that easy?)

Authorities say he was piloting a Yamaha 21-foot AR210 for an $1,800 birthday party when he tried to accelerate through a swell, possibly a wake created by a bigger boat, and water overcame the overloaded craft. It was carrying 14 people when its maximum occupancy was 10. The boat flipped and all 14 were thrown overboard. Twelve were rescued.

Sara Sánchez and her daughter were not. Their bodies were later recovered by police divers.

Oh, and Hernandez didn’t have a captain’s license and was running an unlicensed operation.

NEW: The captain accused of operating an illegal charter boat that capsized in New York Harbor, killing a 27-year-old mother and her baby, is an illegal immigrant and is now in custody.

Authorities say Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana does not have a captain's license and is… pic.twitter.com/zaSgnilyLH
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 20, 2026

NEW: The captain accused of operating an illegal charter boat that capsized in New York Harbor, killing a 27-year-old mother and her baby, is an illegal immigrant and is now in custody.
Authorities say Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana does not have a captain's license and is accused of illegally operating the charter when the deadly trip turned tragic.
DHS says Hernandez-Umana crossed the border in 2007 and falsely claimed U.S. citizenship. The agency says it will ensure he is removed from the country after he faces justice.

As the Left tries everything in its power to demonize President Trump’s effort to secure the border and deport criminal illegal aliens, stories like this keep popping up and destroying their narrative. Sadly, it’s a young mom and her baby who paid the price this time.

Who will be next?

Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump, illegal immigration into our great country has virtually stopped. Despite the radical left's lies, new legislation wasn't needed to secure our border, just a new president.

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