Miami (AFP) – The US Coast Guard over the last several days has sent back to Cuba 52 migrants intercepted trying to cross the Florida Straits to reach the United States, officials said Thursday.
The Coast Guard repatriated the migrants to Bahia de Cabanas, Cuba on Wednesday, a Coast Guard statement said.
“These repatriations are a result of three separate migrant interdictions at sea within the last week in the south Florida Straits,” the statement said.
Under Cold War-era immigration laws, Cubans who succeed in making the perilous crossing and set foot on US soil are allowed to remain in the United States, but many lose their lives attempting it.
The number of Cubans attempting the voyage has risen over the past two years, following the rapprochement between the Washington and Havana.
More migrants are attempting the trip out of fear that normalized relations will bring about an end to the special status granted Cuban immigrants under the US law.
In each of the three recent cases involving Cuban migrants — who were attempting to reach the US in rickety rafts — the Coast Guard not only helped enforce the US border, but “prevented these perilous sea voyages from ending in tragedy,” the statement said.
“Safety of life at sea continues to be the Coast Guard’s primary concern,” said Coast Guard Captain Mark Gordon.
“The dangerous waters of the Florida Straits can be unforgiving for the unprepared on ill advised and illegal voyages. Immigration policies have not changed and we urge people not to take to the ocean in unseaworthy vessels. It is illegal and extremely dangerous,” Gordon said.
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