By NAN Staff Writer
News Americas, MIAMI, FL, Tues. Dec. 1, 2015: A total of 108 Cuban migrants were sent back to Cuba this week after trying to enter the U.S. illegally.
The crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton and Charles David Jr., repatriated the Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba on Sunday, November 29th.
These repatriations were the result of seven separate interdictions at sea in the south Florida Straits of Cuban nationals attempting to illegally enter the United States on unseaworthy vessels commonly referred to as “rustics” or “chugs.”
The Coast Guard and partner agencies aggressively patrol the Florida Straits to detect and deter illegal and unsafe maritime migration. Safety of life at sea is always the Coast Guard’s top priority.
“U.S. immigration policies have not changed and we urge people not to take to the ocean in unseaworthy vessels. It is illegal and extremely dangerous,” said Capt. Mark Fedor, the chief of response for the Coast Guard’s 7th District. “Once migrants are interdicted at sea, they will be returned to their country of origin.”
So far in fiscal year 2016, 915 Cuban migrants have attempted to illegally migrate to the U.S. via the sea.
