MIAMI – The Coast Guard has repatriated 64 Cuban migrants caught trying to enter via the Keys.
Here’s what Coast Guard officials have to say about their operations:
– The crew of the Paul Clark Coast Guard repatriated 64 Cubans to Cuba, Sunday, after a hiatus off the Florida Keys.
– The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent alerted the Coast Guard Sector Key West watchers to a dinghy, Thursday, at about 9 p.m., about 25 miles south of Key West.
– The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent alerted Coast Guard Sector Key West watchers to a canoe, Thursday, at about 11:30 p.m., about 30 miles south of Key West.
– A good Samaritan informed Sector Key West coast guard watchers of a migrant ship, around 8:15 a.m., about 8:15 a.m., about 14 miles south of Boot Key .
– A good Samaritan informed Sector Key West watchers of a migrant ship, Friday, at about 5:30 p.m., about 40 miles south of Key West.
“Illegal migration on makeshift vessels, especially without life jackets or safety equipment, is extremely dangerous,” said Lt. Paul Puddington, District 7 Coast Guard. “Please, for your own safety, don’t go into the sea.”
As of October 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews arrested 3,067 Cubans compared to:
– 5,396 Cuban emigrants in fiscal year 2016
– 1,468 Cuban emigrants in fiscal year 2017
– 259 Cuban emigrants in fiscal year 2018
– 313 Cuban emigrants in fiscal year 2019
– 49 Cuban emigrants in fiscal year 2020
– 838 Cuban emigrants in fiscal year 2021
