The United States Coast Guard (USCG) successfully rescued 20 Cuban migrants who were stranded on an uninhabited cay in the Bahamas and handed them over to Bahamian authorities this past Tuesday. The crew aboard the Coast Guard cutter Margaret Norvell transferred the individuals to Bahamian officials on June 10, after rescuing them from Anguilla Cay the previous Friday, according to an official statement on the USCG website.
On Friday, personnel from the Homeland Security Investigations office in Miami alerted the Coast Guard's Seventh District watchstanders about a potential group of migrants stranded on Anguilla Cay. The information indicated that a team from the Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations located the stranded Cubans on the deserted island. Meanwhile, supplies such as food, water, and a radio for communication were dropped to them from the Coast Guard's Ocean Sentry HC-144 aircraft from the Miami Air Station.
After Bahamian authorities requested assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard to rescue the group, the crew of the cutter Walnut arrived at the cay and brought the migrants aboard. The individuals now await further instructions from the authorities. The statement emphasized that "once aboard a Coast Guard vessel, migrants are processed to determine their identity and are provided with food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before being repatriated to their country of origin or returned to the country they departed from."
The USCG did not disclose specific details about the identities or composition of the migrant group. However, photographs released by the agency show the presence of women and children among those rescued. Authorities have also not clarified when the group left Cuba, how they reached Anguilla Cay—whether by a makeshift raft or through smugglers—or the circumstances that led to their predicament and how long they were stranded.
Lieutenant Fernando Pla, watch officer for the Coast Guard's Seventh District, stressed that the agency continues to collaborate daily with state, federal, and international partners "to halt illegal maritime migration and prevent unnecessary loss of life at sea." He warned that "any person attempting to illegally enter the United States by sea will be intercepted and repatriated to their country of origin or departure."
Cuban migrants who are transferred to the Bahamas typically remain detained there for a period before being deported back to Cuba. Following the implementation of stricter immigration policies in the U.S. under President Donald Trump's administration, illegal border crossings, including sea routes, have significantly decreased. Nonetheless, some individuals persist in attempting these perilous journeys despite the threat of deportation.
Data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicate a sharp decline in illegal Cuban migration to the U.S. in recent months, highlighting the impact of Trump's policies on those seeking to leave Cuba amid the country's severe economic and social crisis. In March, only 132 unauthorized entries were recorded, and in April, the numbers remained exceptionally low, with 130 irregular entries both overland and by sea.
Key Questions about Cuban Migration and U.S. Coast Guard Operations
What role does the U.S. Coast Guard play in rescuing migrants?
The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for rescuing migrants stranded at sea, ensuring their safety, and processing them before repatriation or return to their departure country.
How have U.S. immigration policies affected Cuban migration?
Stricter immigration policies under President Trump have led to a notable decrease in illegal Cuban migration to the U.S., as potential migrants face heightened risks of deportation.
What happens to Cuban migrants once they are rescued?
Once rescued, Cuban migrants are provided with basic necessities and medical care on the Coast Guard vessel. They are then processed to establish identity and are eventually repatriated or returned to their departure point.