34 Cuban migrants returned to the island 06-2016

34 Cuban migrants returned to the island

The Cuban migrants were aboard two separate vessels when they were
interdicted in the Florida Straits within the past week, Coast Guard
reported.
BY NANCY SAN MARTIN
Staff@InCubaToday.com

Thirty-four Cuban migrants interdicted at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard
were repatriated Wednesday to Bahia de Cabañas on Cuba's northern coast.

The Cuban migrants were aboard two separate vessels when they were
interdicted in the Florida Straits within the past week, Coast Guard
reported.

"We have seen an increase over the last year in the number of Cuban
migrants trying to enter the United States via maritime means," said
Cmdr. Timothy Cronin, deputy chief of enforcement for the Coast Guard
7th District. "The Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection
continue to vigilantly patrol the Florida Straits and Caribbean to
rescue migrants from potentially deadly voyages and enforce U.S.
immigration policy."

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water,
shelter and basic medical attention, officials said.

Since Oct. 1, at least 4,324 Cubans have attempted to illegally migrate
to the U.S. via by sea compared to 4,473 in fiscal year 2015. These
statistics represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings
and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and Atlantic.

Wednesday's repatriations by the Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr.
did not include the group of Cuban migrants interdicted at the American
Shoal lighthouse in the Keys on May 20.

Source: 34 Cuban migrants returned to the island | In Cuba Today -
http://www.incubatoday.com/news/article82517912.html