The United States government deported 45 more Cuban nationals by air on Thursday. Many of these individuals were rafters who landed on U.S. shores or irregular migrants detained at the Mexican border.
According to a statement from the Ministry of the Interior, "a flight from the U.S. returned 45 irregular migrants to Cuba on May 23rd via José Martí International Airport in Havana." The statement noted that the group consisted of 41 men and four women, with 11 having left the island illegally by sea, while 34 traveled legally by air but joined irregular routes to reach the U.S. border.
This operation marks the fifth deportation flight from the U.S. this year, bringing the total to 42 deportations involving 646 individuals from various countries in the region. The deported migrants typically have deportation orders after being detained at the border and released with an I220B document, or they are rafters who made it to shore.
Meanwhile, those detained by the U.S. Coast Guard at sea are returned by maritime routes, with nearly 400 such cases reported so far this fiscal year. Cuba receives one deportation flight from the U.S. each month and announced in April that it could accept up to two monthly. The most recent operation took place on April 25th, involving 47 illegal immigrants. The third flight from the U.S. occurred in March, bringing 61 irregular Cuban migrants to the island.
Key Questions About U.S. Deportations of Cuban Nationals
Here, we address some frequently asked questions about the deportations of Cuban nationals from the United States, providing clarity on the procedures and statistics involved.
Why are Cuban nationals being deported from the U.S.?
Cuban nationals are being deported primarily because they have been detained at the U.S. border with Mexico or apprehended by the U.S. Coast Guard at sea. Many have deportation orders and are returned to Cuba as part of regular deportation operations.
How often do deportation flights to Cuba occur?
Cuba receives one deportation flight from the United States each month. In April, it was reported that Cuba might start receiving up to two flights monthly.
What happens to Cubans detained by the U.S. Coast Guard?
Cubans detained by the U.S. Coast Guard at sea are typically returned to Cuba by maritime routes. Nearly 400 such cases have been recorded so far this fiscal year.