Eleven Cuban Migrants Land on Island Off Puerto Rico
A group of 11 Cuban migrants landed by boat on an uninhabited island off Puerto Rico, U.S. border officials said Friday, warning of the dangers of "irregular travel at sea."
The 10 men and a woman, who can now claim U.S. residency, were rescued by park rangers after docking Thursday on the Puerto Rican island of Mona and were turned over to the US Coast Guard to be processed by immigration authorities.
Self-governed Puerto Rico is a U.S. possession and its citizens are US nationals.
"We issue a concerned warning on the danger of traversing the Mona Passage with the hope of avoiding an unfortunate event during this coming Easter holiday season," said Ramiro Cerrillo, a border patrol agent.
"Migrants have drowned as smugglers have forced them to swim to the shore."
Cubans who make it to dry land in Puerto Rico can stay under a Cold War-era law that puts migrants from the communist-ruled island on a fast track to U.S. residency.
Since October, 143 Cubans have made it to Puerto Rico, including a dozen who landed on Mona on March 7. That group included a pregnant woman.
U.S. authorities have made deterring sea crossings a priority because "the particular dangers of irregular travel at sea" have led to the most deaths, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.
U.S. President Barack Obama is traveling to Cuba Sunday for a two-day visit highlighting the restoration of relations.
"The administration has no plans to change the current immigration policy toward Cuba or seek legislative changes in relation to the Cuban Adjustment Act," the agency said.
Source: Agence France Presse
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