Cuban migrants persist in their attempts to enter the U.S. via the Key West area, according to Samuel Briggs II, Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol for the Miami Sector. Briggs recently announced on social media that a total of 41 Cuban migrants had been apprehended since the beginning of the new year.
Briggs stated, "Earlier today, 30 Cuban migrants were taken into the U.S. Border Patrol custody after making landfall on the Marquesas Keys, uninhabited islands west of Key West, Florida. We appreciate the support from the responding agencies. #Cuba #FloridaKeys #BorderPatrol."
On New Year's Day, Briggs reported another incident: "Key Largo, FL: Yesterday, U.S. Border Patrol agents with support from @keyssheriff responded to a migrant landing & encountered 11 Cuban migrants. The migrants were processed for removal proceedings. Investigation remains ongoing. #NewYear #floridakeys #Cuba."
These developments come in the wake of Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio questioning the authenticity of Cuban asylum seekers in America and their ability to frequently travel back home, as reported by CBS News.
Rubio was quoted during a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting saying, "If you come from Cuba, you are presumed to be fleeing political persecution, so you're automatically eligible for refugee cash, you're eligible for food stamps, and within a year you can apply for a green card, then you can travel to Cuba as often as you want."
In April 2022, according to a Department of Homeland Security news release, 28 individuals were repatriated to Cuba by the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo following an interception off Florida's coast.
Lt. Peter Hutchison of the Coast Guard Seventh District emphasized their commitment towards maintaining maritime security in his statement: "The Coast Guard is maintaining a heavy maritime presence to detect and interdict anyone attempting to illegally migrate by sea in the Florida Straits and Caribbean region. These voyages are not only illegal, but also incredibly dangerous. No one should risk their lives on unsafe rustic vessels in unpredictable seas."
