25 Cuban migrants land in the Keys

25 Cuban migrants land in the Keys
The group of migrants was spotted by a boater off Big Pine Key
KeysInfoNet

More than 20 migrants from Cuba came ashore in the Lower Keys Monday
morning.

The group of 24 men and one woman was spotted by a passing boater on
Cook Island, off Big Pine Key, around 6:30 a.m., said Deputy Becky
Herrin, spokeswoman for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office helped ferry the migrants to the Dolphin Marina on
Little Torch Key, where they were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol
agents. They were in good condition, Herrin said.

On Saturday, 26 migrants, seven of them with gunshot wounds, were found
on a raft off Key West.

Also, in separate incidents last week, 58 Cuban migrants intercepted at
sea on several vessels were repatriated.

According to Coast Guard figures, so far this fiscal year, which began
Oct. 1, 2,562 Cubans have been intercepted, sighted or have landed in
Florida.

In fiscal year 2015, about 4,476 Cuban migrants were intercepted,
spotted or arrived by sea, the largest number in more than seven years.

According to the Coast Guard, uncertainty about a possible change in
U.S. immigration policy with Cuba has led to a larger number of Cuban
immigrantssince President Barack Obama in December 2014 ordered the
restoration of relations with the island.

Source: 25 Cuban migrants land in the Keys | Miami Herald -
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article68607222.html