United States Coast Guard officials caught 16 immigrants traveling on what looked like a homemade boat and sent them back to Cuba.
The migrants were spotted by an individual off the coast of Key West, Florida last week, according to a press release from the Coast Guard.
In order to “detect and deter migrants from attempting to unlawfully enter the U.S. by sea,” the Coast Guard and “its Homeland Security Task Force — Southeast (HSTF-SE) partners” would continue to patrol and have a “presence” in the air and waters, the press release continued.
“The Coast Guard’s primary mission is to preserve human life at sea,” Lt. Matthew Miller with the Coast Guard’s Seventh District said in the press release.
“The maritime environment is inherently dangerous. The Coast Guard and our HSTF-SE partners are committed to preventing unsafe voyages at sea and enforcing U.S. immigration laws and regulations. Do not take to the sea.”
The crew of the Coast Guard’s Cutter Charles David Jr. saved and took the migrants aboard, providing them with “food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention.”
According to the press release, the Coast Guard has repatriated 348 migrants back to Cuba since the start of 2024 fiscal year.
