Coast Guard Repatriates 12 Migrants to Cuba

Coast Guard Repatriates 12 Migrants to Cuba
U.S. Coast Guard | Oct 12, 2015

MIAMI — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Confidence repatriated 12
Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, Saturday.
While on routine patrol a Coast Guard aircraft spotted a vessel with
migrants aboard south of Marquesas Keys, Florida, Wednesday. The
aircraft notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders who quickly
diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous to the scene. Upon arriving on
scene, the Venturous crew embarked 14 Cuban migrants including 10 men
and four women. Twelve Cuban migrants were later transferred to the
Coast Guard Cutter Confidence for repatriation. Two migrants were
medevaced with medical concerns to Key West, Florida.
The cutters Venturous and Confidence along with numerous other Coast
Guard patrol boats and aircraft, aggressively patrol the Florida Straits
to detect and deter illegal and unsafe maritime migration. Safety of
life at sea is always the Coast Guard's top priority.
"Coast Guard missions and operations in the Southeast remain unchanged
including no changes to U.S. immigration policies. The Coast Guard
strongly discourages attempts to illegally enter the country by taking
to the sea," said Capt. Mark Gordon, Coast Guard 7th District chief of
response enforcement. "Migrants interdicted at sea will be returned to
their country of origin in accordance with U.S. immigration laws."
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water,
shelter and basic medical attention.
In fiscal year 2015, 4,462 Cuban migrants attempted to illegaly migrate
to the U.S. via the sea. These numbers represent the total amount of
at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits,
the Caribbean and Atlantic.
For more information on how to legally immigrate to the U.S., call U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at 1-800-375-5283 or visit
the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.

Source: Coast Guard Repatriates 12 Migrants to Cuba | Military.com -
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/10/12/coast-guard-repatriates-12-migrants-to-cuba.html