Coast Guard repatriates 19 migrants to Cuba

MIAMI – The crew of Coast Guard Cutter William Trump repatriated 19 migrants to Cuba, Friday, following an interdiction of a migrant venture near Key West, Florida. 

A Customs and Border Protection Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft aircrew notified Sector Key West watchstanders of a suspected migrant voyage at approximately 12 p.m., Saturday. 

The Coast Guard and its Homeland Security Task Force - Southeast partners will continue to be a presence in the air and on the waters to detect and deter migrants from attempting to unlawfully enter the U.S. by sea. 

“Migrants attempting to enter the U.S. unlawfully by sea will be disqualified indefinitely from the legal immigration parole policy for Cubans and Haitians,” said Lt. Peter Hutchison, Coast Guard Seventh District Enforcement Branch. “Migrants intercepted at sea, regardless of their nationality, will not be permitted to enter the United States. Those without a legal basis to remain in the U.S. will also be removed." 

Coast Guard crews repatriated 367 migrants to Cuba in fiscal year 2024, which began on Oct. 1, 2023. 

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention. 

For more information, follow these links to Department of Homeland Security fact sheets:   

• Fact Sheet: Data From First Six Months of Parole Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans Shows That Lawful Pathways Work | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)   

• USCIS Updates Review Process for the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans | USCIS   

• Fact Sheet: Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Final Rule | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)   

For breaking news, follow us on Twitter. For additional information, find us on Facebook and Instagram.   

-USCG-