WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Senator Rick Scott today announced the introduction of his bipartisan, bicameral legislation to name the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations Mayagüez Unit in Puerto Rico after Agent Michel O. Maceda, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Joining Senator Scott in introducing this legislation are Senators Marco Rubio and Alex Padilla, as well as Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón, who is leading the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Agent Michel O. Maceda passed away on November 17, 2022 from injuries sustained while performing a boarding operation with two other agents on a target of interest off the shore of Puerto Rico. Onboard the target vessel, one of the occupants pulled a firearm and shot all three marine interdiction agents, killing Agent Maceda and seriously injuring the other two agents. Agent Maceda recently served as a marine interdiction agent in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. He started his CBP career on April 11, 2016, as a Border Patrol agent in Douglas, Arizona, and transferred to Air and Marine Operations on January 31, 2021. Agent Maceda honorably served with the United States Army prior to joining CBP. He was survived by his parents, a daughter and a brother.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Americans will always be thankful for the bravery of Marine Interdiction Agent Michel O. Maceda who dedicated his life to protecting Puerto Rico and our nation. I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate and Representative González-Colón for their support of naming CBP Air and Marine Operations Mayagüez Unit in Puerto Rico after him to ensure his bravery, service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

Senator Marco Rubio said, “U.S. personnel serving in the U.S. Border Patrol Mayagüez Marine Unit will remember the life of Agent Michel Maceda, who passed away in the line of duty. His service to our nation is a reminder of the immense debt we owe to our men and women in uniform.”

Senator Alex Padilla said, “I was saddened by the tragic loss last year of Agent Maceda, who was mortally wounded in the line of duty off the coast of Puerto Rico. Naming this new CBP AMO facility after Agent Maceda would fittingly honor his service and sacrifice.”

Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón said, “Marine Interdiction Agent Michel O. Maceda gave his life while protecting Puerto Rico and the rest of the nation from the threats posed by drug traffickers. For that, we will always be grateful. I want to thank Senators Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, and Alex Padilla for introducing companion legislation to my bill designating the CBP Air and Marine Operations Mayagüez Marine Unit in Puerto Rico in honor of Agent Maceda. The renamed facility will not only be a fitting tribute to Agent Maceda’s memory and sacrifice, but will also serve as a reminder of our CBP agents’ unwavering commitment to secure our borders and keep our communities safe.”

###