USCG Repatriates 109 Migrants
By Joseph R Fonseca
Saturday, November 5, 2016
The Coast Guard repatriated 109 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, since Oct. 15.
The Coast Guard Cutter Raymond Evans repatriated seven Cuban migrants Oct. 15, the Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr. repatriated seven Cuban migrants Oct. 19 and 76 Cuban migrants Oct. 25, the Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback repatriated 15 Cuban migrants Oct. 22 and the Coast Guard Cutter William Trump repatriated four Cuban migrants Thursday.
These repatriations are a result of seven separate at-sea migrant interdictions in the South Florida Straits. In each instance, the Coast Guard helped secure the U.S. border and prevented these sea voyages from ending in tragedy.
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.
The Coast Guard has observed a steady increase in illegal maritime migration attempts to the Southeastern U.S. from Cuba. The Coast Guard 7th District estimates that 332 Cubans have attempted to illegally migrate via the sea since Oct. 1. In fiscal year 2016 7,411 Cubans attempted to illegally migrate via the sea compared to 4,473 in fiscal year 2015. These numbers represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and Atlantic.