KEY WEST, Fla. – A South Florida-based Coast Guard crew repatriated 12 Cuban migrants back to the island Wednesday following two migration attempts, Coast Guard officials confirmed in a news release.
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According to officials, on Jan. 19, a Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations crew notified Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders that there was a raft filled with migrants about 21 miles south of Long Key.
The watchstanders then diverted the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr. to interdict the migrants.
A second group of migrants were spotted by a good Samaritan on Jan. 23, about 50 miles southwest of Cuba in the Yucatan Passage.
Officials said the good Samaritan notified the Coast Guard Sector New Orleans that they rescued seven migrants from a disabled boat.
The Coast Guard Cutter Reliance then went to the area to pick up the migrants.
No injuries were reported in either incident.
“The Coast Guard increased our presence in the Florida Straits, Windward and Mona Passages to interdict unlawful maritime migration attempts before they reach our shores,” said Lt. Cmdr. John W. Beal, Coast Guard District Seven public affairs officer. “The Coast Guard is committed to our mission to safeguard America by securing our maritime borders and preventing illegal entry into the continental United States and U.S. territories. Don’t take to the sea.”
According to Coast Guard officials, once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, the migrants are processed to determine their identity and nationality, “and are provided food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before repatriation to their country of origin or return to the country from which they departed.”
Boaters are encouraged to report illicit maritime activity to the U.S. Coast Guard via marine VHF radio on Channel 16.