KEY WEST, Fla. – 20 Cuban migrants were picked up by U.S. Border Patrol agents when they responded to a migrant landing near the Key West Airport on Saturday afternoon.
Authorities said the migrants arrived on a wooden fishing boat at around 3 p.m.
Video footage circulating online shows the group of migrants celebrating as they reached land. However, the migrants were taken into custody and will undergo processing for removal proceedings, according to Adam Hoffner, assistant chief patrol agent for the U.S. Border Patrol’s Miami sector.
No additional details about the migrants or their journey have been released.
Cuban migrants have been making dangerous journeys to the U.S. in increasing numbers, often attempting to cross the Florida Straits by boat or raft. These migrants typically seek better economic opportunities, political freedom, or escape from the hardships and restrictions they face in Cuba. Many attempt to reach the Florida coast, where they hope to gain entry into the U.S.
The U.S. has specific policies regarding Cuban migrants, including the “wet foot, dry foot” policy, which allowed Cuban nationals who reached U.S. soil to stay and pursue legal residency, though this policy was ended in 2017. Today, Cuban migrants are subject to the same immigration laws as other migrants, and those caught attempting to enter the U.S. illegally are typically processed for deportation. However, some may be eligible for asylum or other legal relief.
The U.S. Border Patrol, along with the Coast Guard, frequently intercepts migrant boats attempting to cross the Straits, but many continue to risk the dangerous journey due to the difficult conditions in Cuba.
