A U.S. Coast Guard crew returned 16 migrants to Cuba on Friday following an interdiction of a migrant voyage near the Florida coast.
A Good Samaritan alerted Sector Key West officials to a potential migrant voyage at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.
“The Coast Guard’s primary mission is to preserve human life at sea,” said Lt. Matthew Miller, Coast Guard Seventh District. “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 Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr. intercepted the vessel and returned the 16 migrants.
Read: 2 Cuban Migrants Cross The Border From The Sky, Landing Hand Glider In Florida
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention.
“The Coast Guard and its Homeland Security Task Force—Southeast allies will maintain an air and maritime presence to detect and discourage individuals attempting to illegally enter the United States by sea,” the USCG said.
Coast Guard crews repatriated 348 migrants to Cuba in fiscal year 2024, which began on Oct. 1, 2023.
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