A total of 56 Cuban migrants were deported by the U.S. government via air. The group, consisting of 12 women and 44 men, arrived this Thursday at the José Martí International Airport in Havana.
According to a Facebook post by the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), six of the returnees had illegally left the country by sea. The rest had departed legally by air but later embarked on an irregular journey to the U.S. border.
One of the migrants was taken to an investigation center as he was registered as a suspected criminal. This marks the 48th deportation operation, involving 744 people from various countries in the region, both by air and sea.
The last deportation flight from the United States occurred on May 23, when 45 Cubans were returned, including 11 raft migrants. Those deported by air are typically individuals with a deportation order after being detained at the border and released with an I220B document or rafters who made it to land. Migrants detained at sea are returned by the Coast Guard.
Cuba receives one deportation flight from the U.S. each month, and in April, it was announced that the country could receive up to two flights monthly. Deportations began in April last year, amid an unprecedented exodus of Cubans. The first flight organized by ICE was the largest, with 123 migrants returned on April 24.
Key Details on U.S. Deportations of Cuban Migrants
Here are some important questions and answers regarding the deportations of Cuban migrants by the U.S. government.
Why are Cuban migrants being deported by air?
Cuban migrants deported by air typically have a deportation order after being detained at the U.S. border and released with an I220B document, or they are rafters who made it to land.
How often does Cuba receive deportation flights from the U.S.?
Cuba receives one deportation flight from the U.S. each month and can potentially receive up to two flights monthly.
What was the largest deportation flight organized by ICE?
The largest deportation flight organized by ICE was on April 24 last year, with 123 migrants returned.