House Committee Passes González-Colón’s Bill to Honor Fallen CBP Marine Interdiction Agent Michel O. Maceda

Washington, D.C., – The House Committee on Homeland Security passed Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón’s bill—H.R. 5302, the Michel O. Maceda Memorial Act—to rename the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO)Mayagüez Marine Unit in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico  in honor of Marine Interdiction Agent Michel O. Maceda, who died in the line of duty in 2022 during a drug interdiction operation off the Island’s coast. 

“Today marks a significant step to honor the memory of Marine Interdiction Agent Michel O. Maceda, a brave CBP AMO official who tragically lost his life in the line of duty after being shot by drug smugglers during a maritime interdiction operation off Puerto Rico’s coast,” said Rep. Jenniffer González. “The House Homeland Security Committee’s passage of my bill to rename AMO’s Mayagüez Marine Unit in his honor serves as a bipartisan recognition of his bravery and sacrifice.  Congressionally designating the facility with Agent Maceda’s name will not only memorialize his legacy, but it will also serve as a reminder of the threats our CBP and federal law enforcement officers confront each day to protect our nation.” 

“I am proud to commemorate Agent Maceda’s courageous service and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty by renaming the Air and Marine Unit in Puerto Rico in honor of his heroic legacy. Our country is safer because of the tireless work of the men and women of Customs and Border Protection. As a fellow Army veteran, I am deeply appreciative of Agent Maceda’s commitment to answering the call of duty, and his life is a reminder of the true price paid for freedom and security. We owe him an immense debt of gratitude for wearing the badge and the uniform,” said Rep. Mark E. Green (R-TN), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

“I applaud the House Committee on Homeland Security for passing the Michel O. Maceda Act which honors the service and sacrifice of this courageous American. 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. Renaming the CBP Air and Marine Operations Mayagüez Unit in Puerto Rico after Agent Maceda is one way we can show our appreciation for his sacrifice and ensure his service is never forgotten. I want to thank Representative Gonzalez-Colon for her leadership on this bill and look forward to it passing the House of Representatives and the Senate quickly and being signed into law,” said Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL).  

Senator  Scott introduced the Senate version of Rep. González-Colón’s bill last November, with Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) as original cosponsors. 

“Marine Interdiction Agent Michel O. Maceda was a true professional, dedicated to protecting others. He will never be forgotten,” said CBP Executive Assistant Commissioner of Air and Marine Operations, Jonathan Miller, upon González-Colón’s bill introduction. “Agent Maceda made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty protecting his country. We are proud to memorialize his legacy by renaming our Mayagüez facility in his honor to become the Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit.”

Marine Interdiction 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 his two partners. 

Agent Maceda served as a marine interdiction agent with AMO’s Mayagüez Marine Unit in Puerto Rico. He started his CBP career on April 11, 2016, as a Border Patrol agent in Douglas, Arizona, and transferred to AMO on January 31, 2021. Agent Maceda honorably served with the United States Army prior to joining CBP. He is survived by his daughter, parents, and brother.

CBP AMO has begun construction of a new building for the Mayagüez Marine Unit to support its critical border security mission in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean region. H.R. 5302 would designate this facility as the Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit.  The bill has fifteen bipartisan cosponsors, including House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) and Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS).

###