The U.S. Coast Guard received a call on Friday from one of the immigrants saying they were dropped off on Santa Cruz Island on July 8 with no food or water. The island is 19 miles off Ventura.
An initial search of the area didn't turn up anything.
Then on Sunday, the Coast Guard received a call from a boater who made contact with the group.
The Coast Guard and National Park Service launched a rescue operation, and the 15 immigrants were handed over to Santa Barbara for processing by federal immigration officials.
