Mexican Human Smuggler Sentenced for Role in Years-Long Smuggling Organization

Defendant facilitated illegal immigration of aliens from Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, often committing armed robberies of the smuggled aliens

A Mexican national was sentenced Monday to 11 years in prison for her role in a years-long, prolific smuggling organization that operated at the U.S.-Mexico border.

According to the indictment, Ofelia Hernandez Salas, 64, of Mexicali, Mexico, and co-conspirators facilitated the travel of hundreds of aliens from and through numerous countries into the United States. Hernandez Salas charged the aliens as much as tens of thousands of dollars to illegally cross the Mexico-U.S. border. The aliens traveled from and through Bangladesh, Yemen, Pakistan, Eritrea, India, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Russia, Egypt, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.

“Transnational human smuggling at a large scale directly threatens our national security,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Ofelia Hernandez Salas and her co-conspirators endangered our communities on a massive scale by illegally bringing foreign nationals from more than a dozen countries into the United States. Not only did she take away the ability to properly vet these people from immigration authorities, she and her co-conspirators also robbed these people of their personal belongings at gun or knife point. Illegal border crossings are already incredibly dangerous; this defendant only increased the potential of mortal danger they faced by adding robbery to her criminal acts.”

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office alongside our federal and international partners use every available tool to aggressively target and dismantle dangerous transnational human smuggling organizations and bring their leaders to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine for the District of Arizona. “This investigation and prosecution exemplify the work that is being done every day in the District of Arizona and through Joint Task Force Alpha to secure our nation’s southern border and protect the American people.”

Hernandez Salas and co-conspirators directed the aliens to cross the border in several ways. They provided aliens with a ladder to climb over the border fence, pointed out holes where they could climb under the fence, and provided a plank for them to walk over a waterway. In addition to moving aliens across the border in droves, Hernandez Salas and her co-conspirators also robbed the aliens of money, cell phones, and other belongings, often while armed with guns and knives.

In March 2023, Hernandez Salas and co-conspirator Raul Saucedo-Huipio were arrested in Mexico pursuant to an extradition request from the United States and remained in federal custody. Saucedo-Huipio has also pleaded guilty and is pending sentencing in June 2026. In December 2024, Hernandez Salas pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States and three substantive counts of bringing an alien to the United States for commercial benefit or private financial gain. She is subject to deportation upon the completion of her sentence.

The investigation and charges are supported and prosecuted by JTFA, the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean, and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant United States Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 450 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 400 U.S. convictions; more than 345 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.

HSI Yuma investigated the case with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol (BP), Customs and Border Protection (CBP); U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; FBI; and the U.S. Marshals Service, working in concert with HSI Tijuana, INTERPOL, and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. HSI also received substantial assistance from CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force and OFAC.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Mexico. The Justice Department thanks its Mexican law enforcement partners, who were instrumental in arresting Hernandez-Salas, and the Mexican Attorney General’s Office and the Mexican Foreign Ministry for making the extradition possible. The Justice Department’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) provided significant assistance as well.

East Bronx History Forum Presentation. Wednesday, May 20th, 7:30pm.

 

Dear East Bronx History Forum Member,

Our 20th year is rapidly approaching its end. However, we have two more lectures in addition to the well-attended lecture sponsored by Bronx County Historical Society and From The Bronx earlier this month which featured John Adams impersonator, George Baker for the Bronx 250thCelebration. This month’s meeting will feature historian Kara Murphy Schlicting, her focus will be on the East River neighborhoods of Soundview, Harding Park and Clason Point.

In the 1910s, the bungalow colony Harding Park developed on marshy Clason Point. Through the 1930s–1950s, Robert Moses sought to modernize this East Bronx waterfront through the Parks Department and the Committee on Slum Clearance. While localism and special legislative treatment enabled Harding Park’s preservation as a co-op in 1981, the abandonment of master planning left neighboring Soundview Park unfinished. The entwined histories of recreation and residency on Clason Point reveal the beneficial and detrimental effects of both urban renewal and community development, while also demonstrating the complicated relationship between localism and large-scale planning in postwar New York City.

Kara Murphy Schlichting is an Associate Professor of History at Queens College and The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She earned her Ph.D. from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Her work in late-19th and 20th-century American History sits at the intersection of urban and environmental history, with a particular focus on New York City. She has published in numerous journals and is the author of New York Recentered: Building the Metropolis from the Shore (University of Chicago Press, 2019).

Our 205th meeting this month will take place over Zoom on Wednesday, May 20th at 7:30 pm. Please, remember to follow us at BronxNYC.com for the meeting link and on our Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo and Youtube account pages for the most current updates or information.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Dorothy A. Krynicki

 Photo Caption: Clason Point Amusement Park

 Credit: New York Public

East Bronx History is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: EBHF May 2026-Soundview, Harding Park & Clason Point

Time: May 20, 2026 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Removes 642,410 Pounds of Unwanted Medications

 

On April 25, 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration joined 4,306  law enforcement agencies across the country for the 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The bi-annual event collected 642,410 pounds of unneeded and expired medications at 4,417 collection sites nationwide. 

Since its inception in 2010, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has collected 

21,034,225 pounds – the equivalent of more than 10,500 tons – of unnecessary medications from homes to help prevent prescription drug misuse and reduce the risk of accidental overdoses and poisonings. 

For those unable to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are more than 16,500 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses, in addition to many police departments, that offer safe medication disposal year-round. For information on permanent drop boxes, please visit DEA’s Every Day is Take Back Day page.

Complete results for DEA’s Spring National Prescription Drug Take Back Day are available on DEA’s Take Back Day page.

Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count!

 

Volunteer with NYC Parks for Trees Count! Every ten years, NYC Parks takes stock of every public tree across the five boroughs. Just like the U.S. Census helps us understand people, this count helps NYC Parks understand and care for the trees that make our city livable, resilient, and beautiful. The latest Trees Count began in 2025 and is starting up again this month! Last year, 2,500+ volunteers helped count 46,000+ trees in 434 parks. But there are still plenty of trees left to count.

Consider joining an upcoming Trees Count event where you will receive the tools and training you need to help inventory trees across our city. Once you complete the training, you gain access to the official Trees Count app and can continue counting trees on your own or at Trees Count “Meet Ups” throughout the summer and fall. Tens of thousands of trees are waiting to be counted by someone just like you. Sign up to volunteer and meet your neighbors – human and arboreal! nyc.gov/parks/treescount

Trees Count at Van Cortlandt Park 
Volunteers will receive a tote bag with all the materials needed to count trees and then participate in a 30-minute training session that includes the basics of tree identification and how to measure and assess each tree. After the training, you’ll split up into different zones within the park to start counting trees using our Tree Census app.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.
Location: Broadway, Jerome Ave, City Line, Van Cortlandt Pk S, Bronx 
More info: nyc.gov/parks/treescount
Contact: treescount@parks.nyc.gov

For questions or concerns, contact your borough community engagement coordinator: 

Robert Madera | Bronx Senior Community Engagement Coordinator
Community Boards: 4, 5, 7, 8
718.430.4667 | Robert.Madera@parks.nyc.gov

Ashley Santos | Bronx Community Engagement Coordinator
Community Boards: 1, 2, 3, 6
718.430.1861 | Ashley.Santos@parks.nyc.gov

Ashlyn Teather | Bronx Community Engagement Coordinator
Community Boards: 9, 10, 11, 12
718.430.1815 | Ashlyn.Teather@parks.nyc.gov

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - FREE Flotilla Watch Party This Saturday!

 

This Saturday from 10am to 1pm, the Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) is proud to participate directly in this year's Bronx River Flotilla with two boats, joining our partners and community in this powerful journey down the Bronx River, led by the Bronx River Alliance.

While the boats are on the water, BRAC will serve as a community watch party and rally space to support paddlers during the final stretch of their journey. Join us for a full day of celebration featuring a live DJ, games, arts and crafts, DIY sign-making, light snacks and drinks for sale, and both indoor and outdoor gathering spaces with air conditioning and accessible bathrooms.

Afterwards, the celebration continues for the rest of the afternoon at Hunts Point Riverside Park for the Golden Ball Celebration hosted by the Bronx River Alliance, The POINT CDC, and Rocking the Boat! BRAC will have a shuttle bus available for those who wish to attend this fun event featuring a drum circle, poetry, button making, painting, and (of course) boat rowing! Space is limited on the shuttle bus, so make sure to save your seat!

Governor Hochul Addresses State Preparedness Amid Possible Long Island Rail Road Strike

Governor Hochul: “No one wants a strike. I don't want a strike. That's why I've told the team at the MTA to bargain, and that's exactly what they're doing. But I'll tell you this: I continue to worry about affordability for Long Islanders. I'm not willing to ask Long Islanders to pay unnecessary fare hikes or higher taxes. I worked hard to put the MTA on stable footing and I will not risk that stability.”

Hochul: “Both sides must continue to negotiate in good faith toward a deal at the table... Yes, workers deserve to be paid fairly for their work, but at the same time, we must be responsible with public funds and the fares paid by Long Island residents. I believe that a deal can be reached here, and I'll continue to urge both sides to work together to avoid a strike.”

In just three days, the Long Island Rail Road may be shut down by a strike. Nobody wins in a strike. Everyone will be hurt — the riders who rely on the Long Island Rail Road and the thousands of workers who will lose wages. The Long Island Rail Road is the lifeblood of this island. Nearly 300,000 riders take it every single day, and we know that a strike would have significant impacts on the entirety of Long Island.

Now, we should not be here today. This potential strike was needlessly accelerated by reckless, unprecedented action from the Trump administration. Don't forget that. They thwarted the mediation process, which is what the normal course of business would have been and, perhaps, brought us to a better place by now. But, be it as it may, I must be prepared to respond.

And when I became Governor, this railroad was struggling. Ridership post-pandemic was down and there were calls to right-size the service, which means cut service. I took a different approach. While our revenues were down, I knew we had to create a better customer experience to get more people to come back on and feel comfortable riding the railroad again into work or their everyday business.

So instead of right-sizing service, I invested in the Long Island Rail Road. While other systems have cut service, we have increased service by 40 percent. We finished the third track, finally opened Grand Central Madison, and customer satisfaction and safety has surged because of our investments.

Now, of course, no one wants a strike. I don't want a strike. That's why I've told the team at the MTA to bargain, and that's exactly what they're doing. But I'll tell you this: I continue to worry about affordability for Long Islanders. I'm not willing to ask Long Islanders to pay unnecessary fare hikes or higher taxes. I worked hard to put the MTA on stable footing and I will not risk that stability.

So we have to be ready for whatever happens, and we are. The MTA has put forth a plan for shuttle buses that can be used by essential workers, and I want to be clear that these buses will not be able to replace full Long Island Rail Road service. That's why the MTA has encouraged employers and employees on Long Island to plan for work from home early next week if a strike occurs. The MTA and my office are in regular contact with local elected officials, and we will be ready.

There is only one way for this strike to be avoided. Both sides must continue to negotiate in good faith toward a deal at the table. Now, I've directed the MTA to do just that, negotiate in good faith, and they are. They have been. But they need a partner. Now I understand the MTA has put different proposals on the table without much response to them thus far. So in order to get a settlement, the unions need to start working to find a compromise.

Yes, workers deserve to be paid fairly for their work, but at the same time, we must be responsible with public funds and the fares paid by Long Island residents. I believe that a deal can be reached here, and I'll continue to urge both sides to work together to avoid a strike.

Department of Environmental Protection Proposes Fiscal Year 2027 Water Rate

 

Proposed Increase of 6% is Lower Than Forecast Thanks to Strong Revenue Collections, Allowing DEP to Offset Increased Operating Costs and Make Critical Infrastructure Investments

New Partnership With New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to Provide $25 Million to Strengthen and Expand Key Affordability Programs

If Approved, the Cost of Water in New York City Would Remain Well Below the National Average

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Monday proposed a 6% increase for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) water rates during a presentation to the New York City Water Board. The proposed rate is lower than forecast thanks to the agency’s strong revenue collections, allowing DEP to offset increased operating costs and make critical infrastructure investments. In addition, a new partnership with the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation will provide $25 million over several years to support and expand the Board’s key affordability programs that help customers manage their water and sewer bills. The proposed rate would keep the cost of water well below the national average. If adopted, the increase would adjust the average single‑family customer’s bill by $6 per month. The proposed rate is subject to review and approval by the New York City Water Board. There will be a public hearing in each of the five boroughs in early June during which residents will have the opportunity to provide their input on the proposed rate to members of the Water Board. “Strong billing collections, smart long-term planning, and targeted investments continue to put New York City’s water and wastewater system on solid financial footing,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. “The proposed FY27 water rate keeps bills well below the national average and ensures DEP can keep building the resilient infrastructure needed to safeguard New Yorkers’ drinking water and protect our neighborhoods. The expanded affordability programs and support will provide assistance to customers experiencing financial challenges.” Revenue DEP continues to use every tool in the toolbox to drive compassionate and fair collections, and ensure every customer pays their fair share. Every dollar collected is reinvested into the system to provide rate relief and support day‑to‑day operations. Strong collections have helped lower the projected FY27 rate from the original 7% forecast. In FY26 to date, annual revenue collections have reached $4.1 billion, or $166 million above plan as of May 7. The ongoing forecast also includes approximately $100 million in new, recurring revenue driven by improved collections. Additionally, DEP’s newly formed Key Accounts Group brought in over $10 million in revenue by matching complex customer accounts with more experienced customer service staff members. DEP continues to focus its collections efforts on unlocking payments and resolving disputes with large debtors. Capital Investments Large‑scale capital investments funded by the proposed increase include more than $1 billion in upgrades to upstate reservoirs, $521 million for ongoing construction of City Water Tunnel No. 3, $620 million for combined sewer overflow retention tanks for the Gowanus Canal, $2 billion for bluebelts and green infrastructure, and another $2 billion to continue the comprehensive drainage system buildout in Southeast Queens. DEP is targeting to exceed $3 billion of capital commitments this year as part of a ten-year $33.5 billion capital program. Recent DEP capital investments include: $108 million to upgrade and replace more than 6,700 catch basins to improve sewer performance citywide and enhance stormwater resiliency $320 million investment in the Bronx’s wastewater treatment infrastructure with new facilities at Hunts Point, improving system efficiency and capacity, as well as neighborhood air quality $50 million to design Brooklyn’s first Bluebelt and install flood protection measures in Prospect Park $146 million, in partnership with other agencies, to alleviate chronic flooding in the Jewel Streets neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens $84 million, in partnership with other agencies, to complete a drainage project in Staten Island’s New Dorp Beach neighborhood Rental Payment The City’s financial plans include a forecast for rental payment requests from the water and wastewater system pursuant to the terms of the Water Board’s lease of city water and wastewater infrastructure. The projections include $312 million in FY27 from water rate proceeds. NYC Water Rates are Below the Average of Large U.S. Cities For more than a decade, New York City’s water rates have remained 15-20% below the average of the 30 largest U.S. cities, based on typical single‑family residential usage of 70,000 gallons per year. New York customers currently pay about $1,224 annually, compared to $1,428 in Boston, $1,623 in Philadelphia, $2,373 in Washington, D.C., $2,476 in Baltimore, and $3,251 in San Francisco.

Source: Amawalk Consulting Group, charges for all cities reflect rate schedules in effect on February 1, 2026. What the Proposed Rate Would Mean for an Average Customer If the proposed 6% water rate increase is adopted by the Board, customers would see the following changes to their bills: A typical single-family homeowner will see their total annual water and sewer bills increase from $1,224/year to $1,297/year for water and sewer bills — an increase of $6/month (based on an average consumption of 70,000 gallons of water per year). A typical multi-family unit with metered billing will see their total annual water and sewer bills increase from $909/year/unit to $964/year/unit—an increase of $5/month (based on an average consumption of 52,000 gallons of water per year). Keeping Our Water Affordable DEP’s world-class drinking water remains one of New York City’s best bargains, and the agency is committed to maintaining a rate and billing structure that keeps costs reasonable for customers facing affordability challenges. In FY26, DEP’s affordability programs touch nearly one-third of New York City’s 3.38 million households. Today, DEP’s two core affordability benefits were expanded for the second time in FY26, via a vote by the Water Board and thanks to funding provided by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation: Home Water Assistance Program: Credit increased by nearly 35%, from $145 in FY25 to up to $196 in FY26, to benefit approximately 68,000 low-income households. DEP proposes continuing this benefit in FY27, which would result in a FY27 effective rate increase of 4.5%, below the proposed 6% increase. All eligible accounts will receive the benefit. Multifamily Water Assistance Program: The program continues to offer a $250 credit and expands the recipient pool to 75,000 affordable residential units starting in FY26 and proposed to continue in FY27. This credit would represent an approximate 18–26% savings on the FY27 annual bill. DEP is also proposing to start two new assistance programs for affordable housing and lower-income customers: DEP will use $1 million in funding from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to help Housing Development Fund Corporation customers return to good standing after falling behind on their bills. DEP will also offer new reduced interest rate payment agreements to lower-income customers prequalified by Department of Finance, and help seniors stay in their homes through low-interest debt deferral. DEP also recommends the reauthorization of the Multi-family Conservation program, which guarantees a full-year per apartment unit rate for buildings with meters and water efficiency fixtures, and the Leak Forgiveness program, which provides financial relief to customers who experience a spike in their water bill due to a leak. DEP is also proposing to once again freeze the minimum water charge so that customers who use a low volume of water will see their bill remain the same. Improving Customer Service DEP is also further revising programs to reduce the financial burden of unexpectedly high bills. These efforts include: Expanding eligibility for Leak Forgiveness and related financial relief. Providing additional forgiveness for customers who experience leaks during periods of estimated billing. Establishing a new minimum benefit for customers with eligible leaks. Proactively capping exceptionally high residential bills that are outside a customer’s control. Increasing outreach to customers who may be eligible for existing assistance programs. And, DEP is streamlining customer service and compliance by: Allowing plumbers to return meter permits electronically and introducing new procedures to reduce warning notices and plumbing violations. Automatically renewing cooling‑tower discounts for customers who remain current with Department of Buildings and Department of Health registrations. Rate Hearings The Water Board is responsible for considering and adopting water and wastewater rates following the proposal and subsequent public hearings. The Water Board will be holding in-person public hearings in each of the five boroughs on the proposed rates: Monday, June 1 at 6:00pm: Queens (JFK Jr. School, 57-12 94th Street Tuesday, June 2 at 11:00am: Manhattan (NYC OMB, 225 Greenwich Street, 8th Floor) Tuesday, June 2 at 6:00pm: Brooklyn (Saint Francis College, 179 Livingston Street) Wednesday, June 3 at 6:00pm: Staten Island (Bernikow JCC, 1466 Manor Road) Thursday, June 4 at 6:00pm: Bronx (Mercy University, 1200 Waters Place) The public is welcome to submit written testimony or comments to the Water Board by email at nycwaterboard@dep.nyc.gov, or by mail to NYC Water Board, 59-17 Junction Boulevard, 8th Floor, Flushing, NY 11373. Following the public hearings, the Water Board is scheduled to meet on June 10, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. to consider and adopt an FY27 budget and water and wastewater rates; the new rates would become effective on July 1, 2026. About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.3 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X and Instagram.

Coast Guard Finalizes Contract for Five New Arctic Security Cutters

 

With this historic contract, the Coast Guard will roll out a brand new class of polar icebreakers that will strengthen America’s dominance in the Arctic

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after the U.S. Coast Guard finalized a $3.5 billion contract for the construction and delivery of five Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs), a brand new class of polar icebreaker vessels that will strengthen America’s position in the Arctic.

The contract was awarded to Davie Defense. This is the first of three contracts for the construction of the new ASC class, with two remaining contracts set to be finalized by the Coast Guard soon. The first vessel under this contract is scheduled to be delivered in 2028, and all five vessels will be delivered by February of 2035.

The Coast Guard’s contract with Davie Defense was initially awarded in early February, and was the third ASC contract awarded. These initial contract awards allowed shipbuilders to begin planning while all final details were negotiated. The finalized contract with Davie Defense announced today is the first of those three ASC contracts for which terms were fully defined. The Coast Guard plans to finalize the two remaining contracts soon.

“Finalizing this contract represents decisive action to guarantee American security in the Arctic,” said Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard. “The Arctic Security Cutters will deliver the essential capability to uphold U.S. sovereignty against adversaries’ aggressive economic and military actions in the Arctic. These cutters will ensure the Coast Guard’s ability to control, secure, and defend our northern border and maritime approaches.”

Using the $25 billion provided by the historic Fiscal Year 2025 budget reconciliation, the Coast Guard has already ordered over $13 billion in new fleet assets and capabilities. This rapid investment demonstrates the Coast Guard’s commitment to modernizing acquisition, delivering next-generation technology, and revitalizing American shipbuilding.

The ASC program will fulfill President Donald J. Trump’s promise to expand the nation’s Arctic fleet by delivering 11 Arctic Security Cutters. The program will also bring Arctic shipbuilding expertise back to the United States, strengthening long-term industrial capability and workforce development at American shipyards.