According to the Associated Press, 116 illegal Dominican immigrants were intercepted on a fragile boat off the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico. The group – composed of 95 men and 21 women – was trying to reach the beach on a wooden, 9.8 meter boat with an engine, according to coast guard spokesman Eric Willis. A Puerto Rican police patrol discovered the group about 3.2 kilometers offshore before dawn. All the immigrants were found to be in good health and were turned over to the coast guard for deportation, said Willis. Thousands of Dominicans risk crossing the Mona Passage between the DR and Puerto Rico, in search of better economic conditions. This year, over 3,800 illegal immigrants, mostly Dominicans, have been caught trying to reach Puerto Rico. At least 90 immigrants have drowned over the same period.