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Press Release | Feb. 23, 2023

Coast Guard repatriates 29 people to Cuba

To download Cuban interdiction process video, click this link.

All Coast Guard Southeast imagery can be found on Dvids, here

All Coast Guard migration imagery can be found on Dvids, here.

Family members in the United States inquiring about possible family members interdicted at sea, please contact your local federal U.S. representative. 

Para personas que residen en los EE.UU. buscando información sobre un familiar posiblemente interceptado por la Guardia Costera, por favor comuníquese con la oficina de su congresista o representante del Senado, local.

MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr.'s crew repatriated 29 people to Cuba, Thursday, following interdictions off Florida's coast.

An Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew alerted Coast Guard Cutter James of a migrant vessel, Sunday, at approximately 3:30 p.m., about 30 miles south of Man Key. 

An Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew alerted Coast Guard Cutter James of a migrant vessel, Monday, at approximately 11:30 a.m., about 25 miles north of Cardenas, Cuba. 

"Weather changes at the drop of a hat in the Florida Straits," said Lt. Peter Hutchison, Coast Guard District Seven. "Coast Guard crews patrol around the clock to do our best to be there when the weather changes and you don't lose your life."

Since Oct. 1, 2022, Coast Guard crews interdicted 5,737 Cubans compared to: 

  • 6,182 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2022
  • 838 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2021
  • 49 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2020
  • 313 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2019
  • 259 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2018
  • 1,468 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2017
  • 5,396 Cuban Migrants in Fiscal Year 2016

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

For more information about newly announced immigration programs:

Fact Sheet: Biden/Harris Administration announces new border enforcement actions

Secretary Mayorkas Delivers Remarks on DHS's Continued Preparation for the End of Title 42 and Announcement of New Border Enforcement Measures and Additional Safe and Orderly Processes

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans

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