Eight undocumented Cubans apprehended in Mona Island

Eight undocumented Cubans apprehended in Mona Island
Published on July 29, 2015

AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) border
patrol agents apprehended eight undocumented immigrants from Cuba, after
they landed on Tuesday morning in Mona Island, an uninhabited US
territory located approximately 42 miles west of Puerto Rico.

With this group, a total of 47 Cuban nationals have been smuggled during
the month of July into Mona Island.

Park Rangers from the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and
Environmental Resources (DRNA, for its Spanish acronym) contacted the
Border Patrol Station, indicating the landing of eight undocumented
immigrants, all males, which claimed to be Cuban nationals.

A CBP Office of Air and Marine UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter transferred
the group this morning from Mona to the Border Patrol Station in
Aguadilla for immigration processing.

"Migrants continue to put their lives at unnecessary risk by venturing
into Mona Island not knowing the multiple hazards within that area,"
stated Ramiro Cerrillo, Ramey Sector Chief Patrol Agent. "We reiterate
our warning of the perils of making such a dangerous journey."

Smugglers in the Dominican Republic strategically navigate to and use
Mona Island as a drop off point for migrants who must then be recovered
from Mona and transported to Puerto Rico by CBP or USCG air or marine
assets.

The US administration's recent announcement regarding Cuba does not
signify a change in the current immigration policy toward Cuba, under
the 1995 amendment of the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966.

During this fiscal year 2015 (which runs from October 1 to September
30), the Ramey Border Patrol Sector has apprehended 488 undocumented
migrants; 238 Cubans, 104 Dominicans, and 146 Haitians.

After admissibility processing at the Border Patrol Station, Cuban
nationals will receive a Notice to Appear (NTA) before an immigration
judge, for further proceedings under the Cuban Migration Agreement of
1995 and the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966.

Source: Eight undocumented Cubans apprehended in Mona Island | Caribbean
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