Coast Guard interdicts 6 Cuban migrants 39 miles east of Islamorada

The Coast Guard says it has interdicted six Cuban migrants Thursday 39 miles east of Islamorada. Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders received a notification from a good Samaritan vessel stating they were on scene with a wooden rowboat with six people aboard requesting water. The watchstanders diverted the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Charles David, Jr. (WPC-1107) to assist.

The cutter Charles David, Jr. crew arrived on scene and embarked the six people, claiming Cuban nationality, due to safety of life at sea concerns with the unsafe vessel.

“The Coast Guard continues to maintain a focused and coordinated effort with multiple agency assets to interdict any attempt to dangerously and unlawfully immigrate by sea to the United States,” said Cmdr. Michael Vega, Coast Guard 7th District enforcement branch. “Those who are interdicted at sea attempting to illegally immigrate will be repatriated to their country in accordance with existing U.S. immigration policy.”

Approximately 308 Cuban migrants have attempted to illegally enter the U.S. via the maritime environment in fiscal year 2019 compared to 384 Cuban migrants in fiscal year 2018. These numbers represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean, and Atlantic. Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.