Sea voyages by Cuban migrants to the U.S. are on the uptick, as evidenced by recent interdictions and repatriations by the U.S. Coast Guard off the Florida Keys.
Before 2023 came to a close, the Coast Guard cutter Charles David Jr.’s crew sent back 45 migrants to Cuba following an interdiction off Islamorada on Dec. 23. A Coast Guard Air Station Miami surveying the water notified Coast Guard Sector District Seven of the migrant voyage on Dec. 11 some 40 miles southeast of Islamorada.
Lt. Cmdr. John W. Beal, Coast Guard District Seven public affairs officer, said the Coast Guard and Homeland Security Task Force are continuing to patrol the many migrant routes including Florida Straits, Windward and Mona passages.
“Anyone attempting to unlawfully immigrate to the United States by sea will be repatriated to their country of origin or departure. Do not take to the sea; use safe and lawful pathways,” Beal said.
On Jan. 2, the Coast Guard announced crews repatriated 56 migrants to Cuba following multiple interdictions off the Florida Keys. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations crews interdicted three separate unlawful migrant voyages off Florida’s coast and in the Florida Straits from Dec. 26-29.
“As we enter the new year, the Coast Guard and our Homeland Security Task Force-Southeast partners remain committed to patrolling the Florida Straits, Windward and Mona passages to prevent and deter unlawful entry into the U.S. by sea,” Beal said.
Coast Guard crews have repatriated 235 migrants to Cuba in fiscal 2024, which began on Oct. 1, 2023.
On land, U.S. Border Patrol agents have stayed busy responding to various Cuban migrant landings, including one in Key Largo on Jan. 2 involving 11 Cuban migrants. Samuel Briggs II, acting chief patrol agent, said the migrants will go through removal proceedings.
