A total of 17,563 Cubans crossed into the United States through its borders (both southern and northern) during the month of June, according to data revealed by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This number represents the lowest entry rate in the first six months of the U.S. fiscal year, which began last October.
With only three months remaining in the period, a total of 180,925 Cubans have entered the United States through various routes during this fiscal year. The data shows that 11,316 Cubans arrived via the southern U.S. border, while only 37 did so through the northern border with Canada, surpassing the previous month's figure of 31. The remaining 6,216 entered the country by sea.
The number of Cuban migrants who have crossed into the United States during the first nine months of the U.S. fiscal year (from October to September each year) surpasses that recorded during the same period in 2023. In the first nine months of 2023, there were 164,440 border encounters with Cubans, compared to 180,925 so far this fiscal year.
This indicates that projections suggest the current fiscal year will exceed the previous year's total of 200,287 border encounters from October 2022 to September 2023. The data highlights that the ongoing crisis in Cuba continues to drive a massive and irregular exodus from the island to the United States, despite efforts by the Biden administration to channel this flow through legal means such as humanitarian parole.
Impact of Migration Policies
In April, on the eve of the 38th Round of Cuba-U.S. Migration Talks in Washington, the Cuban regime acknowledged that the current migration crisis is "the largest in Cuba's history," but blamed the United States for its pressure policies and for encouraging Cuban emigration with "extraordinary and artificial incentives."
On June 5, the Biden administration implemented a series of changes at the border to prevent most unauthorized entrants from seeking asylum, with some exceptions. The White House stated in an official release that the "actions will be in effect when high levels of illegal migrant encounters at the Southern Border exceed the capacity to generate timely consequences, as was the case on June 4."
The Biden administration warns that Congress must still act to address the migration issue at the Mexican border, as the measures approved by the president do not provide the necessary personnel or funds to secure the situation.
Key Questions About Cuban Migration to the U.S.
Below are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the ongoing migration crisis involving Cuban nationals entering the United States.
What is the current trend in Cuban migration to the U.S.?
The current trend shows an increase in Cuban migrants entering the U.S., with 180,925 crossings recorded in the first nine months of this fiscal year, surpassing the previous year's numbers.
What measures has the Biden administration taken regarding this migration?
The Biden administration has implemented changes at the border to restrict unauthorized entrants from seeking asylum, aiming to manage the high levels of migrant encounters at the Southern Border.
Why does the Cuban government blame the U.S. for the migration crisis?
The Cuban government claims that U.S. policies exert pressure and provide incentives that encourage Cuban emigration, which they argue exacerbates the migration crisis.