The Miami Herald
Aug. 14, 2002

U.S. Coast Guard returns 31 migrants to Cuba

  By The Associated Press

  MIAMI - The Coast Guard returned to Cuba Wednesday 31 migrants who were recovered in four separate sea rescues last week.

  The Coast Guard found 18 migrants and two suspected smugglers in a 32-foot boat Friday, 15 miles southeast of Key Largo. The suspected smugglers were turned over to the Border Patrol.

  Five migrants on a raft were seen Friday by a passing boat north of Caibarien, Cuba. The boat picked up the migrants, who were later transferred to a Coast Guard cutter.

  The cruise ship Disney Magic found five migrants Thursday on a raft 32 kilometers (20 miles) south of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The migrants were brought on board and transferred to a Coast Guard rescue boat. Three were repatriated and two were transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for further processing.

  Earlier Thursday, six migrants were discovered floating on a raft 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Key West. One man needed medical attention and was flown to a Miami hospital. The other five were returned to Cuba.

  The Immigration and Naturalization Service interviewed the migrants before they were returned to Cuba. Cubans who reach U.S. soil generally are allowed stay, but Cubans caught at sea usually are repatriated.