The tsunami of illegal migrants that has been arriving in South Florida in recent weeks has led immigration authorities to trigger massive repatriation to their countries of origin.
On Monday it was the turn of 83 Haitians located south of Key West in the last six days. Four of the returnees were trapped further south, in the La Mona channel, which separates the Dominican Republic from Puerto Rico.
“The channel was […] a popular area for crossing attempts, but the waters there are often very rough most of the year. As is the case in the rest of the Caribbean, we continue with the warnings of danger to the lives of those who want to enter the United States illegally,” he commented to OnCuba Coast Guard 7th District spokesman Travis Poulos.
While the deportation of the Haitians was being processed, another 19 were located in the uninhabited natural reserve of Monito Island, where they were abandoned by smugglers. Isla Monito is located west of Puerto Rico, near Isla La Mona, which gives its name to the strait.
“From October 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022, the Coast Guard has conducted 14 illegal travel interdictions in the La Mona Passage and waters near Puerto Rico. During that period, 419 people were intercepted, including 327 Dominicans, 91 Haitians and 1 of unknown nationality.
On the other hand, this Tuesday a statement from the Coast Guard indicated that 187 rafters intercepted between Wednesday and Friday of last week were repatriated to Cuba. The note does not indicate whether they were sent to the port of Cabañas or to Matanzas, as happened on Monday.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) issued a statement in which it defends the acceptance of illegal immigrants and condemns the mobilization of the National Guard by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
“When migrants arrive on our shores, our number one priority as a state must be to ensure that all people are safe, healthy, cared for and treated humanely,” said Tiffani Lennon, CEO of the ACLU.
In his view, “instead of politicizing the issue, elected officials should work with activist groups and help organizations that have offered to receive and support migrants and asylum seekers.”
