Seven Cuban rafters who managed to reach the shores of Key Largo, Florida this past Saturday were detected and detained by agents of the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) in the Miami sector following their landing.
Samuel Briggs II, chief agent of the USBP in the Miami sector, reported the incident in a post on the social media platform X, where he warned that "illegal maritime migration ventures during these scorching temperatures are extremely dangerous and potentially deadly."
The influx of Cuban migrants, primarily heading to the United States by sea or land, shows no signs of abating. A total of 17,870 Cubans arrived by sea and land in the northern country last April, according to statistics published this week by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
This figure completes a total of 144,378 arrivals during the current fiscal year 2024, which began on October 1, and underscores that the largest migration wave in Cuba's history continues unabated.
In recent weeks, news of Cuban rafters landing on U.S. coasts and other countries, shipwrecks, interceptions, and rescues by cruise ships in high seas have been constant, with fatal incidents such as the death of four immigrants when their vessel was left adrift.
In that last incident, four other Cubans survived and were rescued by Mexican fishermen off the coast of San Fernando in Tamaulipas, Mexico. The immigrants, in severe states of dehydration and malnutrition, received medical attention at a hospital in that country, and days later, the Mexican government granted them residency.
This week, three more rafters were rescued off the coast of Progreso in the Yucatán Peninsula. The men were in a critical state of health.
Last week, seven Cuban migrants arrived in the Cayman Islands on a homemade boat, but the group decided to continue their maritime journey, according to authorities of that British Overseas Territory located in the Caribbean Sea.
Also in recent days, eight or nine immigrants arrived on a Miami-Dade beach in a speedboat. Two of them, whose nationalities were not disclosed, were detained, while the others managed to evade authorities.
The U.S. government continues to insist that all individuals attempting or arriving illegally by sea will not be allowed to remain in the country. They will be processed according to U.S. laws and policies and returned to their country of origin or departure.
Migrants arriving by sea who are detained by the Border Patrol after reaching U.S. soil are processed for deportation by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), with a five-year ban on legal reentry to the country.
Last Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 26 irregular Cuban migrants who had departed from Villa Clara and were intercepted after three days at sea, according to the Ministry of the Interior of Cuba.
According to the government source, this marks the 40th operation in 2024, during which 571 immigrants have been returned from various countries in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuban Migration
Given the ongoing influx of Cuban migrants to the United States, many questions arise regarding the procedures and risks involved. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
What happens to Cuban migrants who are detained by the U.S. Border Patrol?
Cuban migrants detained by the U.S. Border Patrol after reaching U.S. soil are processed for deportation by ICE and ERO. They are returned to their country of origin or departure and are banned from legally reentering the U.S. for five years.
How many Cuban migrants arrived in the U.S. in April 2024?
A total of 17,870 Cuban migrants arrived in the U.S. by sea and land in April 2024, according to CBP statistics.
Are there any recent fatal incidents involving Cuban migrants?
Yes, there have been several recent incidents, including the death of four immigrants whose vessel was left adrift. Four survivors were rescued by Mexican fishermen.