Three Cuban nationals, who illegally entered Jamaica by boat and worked for over six months in the western part of the island without alerting immigration authorities, were fined and ordered to leave the country after appearing in a Jamaican court.
As reported by the Jamaica Observer, Esequiel Henvández Hernández, Alfredo Castro Pupo, and Oslani Kennieryero Torrez faced Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton in the St. James Parish Court in Montego Bay last Wednesday, accused of illegal entry.
Journey and Arrest
The court was informed that the trio arrived by boat on October 28, 2024, landing on the coast of Lilliput in St. James Parish, located in the northwest of Jamaica. They stayed in the area for five days before securing jobs in Coral Spring, where they worked for four months.
They later moved to Coral Gardens, continuing their employment with a construction company until their arrest on May 8 of this year.
Legal Proceedings and Deportation Order
According to the allegations, the men "made no attempt nor expressed any intent to contact immigration authorities" throughout their stay. At the time of their arrest, their Cuban identification documents were provided to the police to verify their nationality.
With the aid of a translator, the charges were read to them, and each pleaded guilty to entering the country illegally. Judge Fairclough-Hylton fined each man 5,000 Jamaican dollars—or alternatively, five days in jail—and issued a deportation order.
Recurring Illegal Entrances
This case is part of a recurring pattern of irregular Cuban arrivals to Jamaica by sea, particularly focused in St. James Parish. In October 2024—the same month these three men arrived—another group of ten Cubans was intercepted in Unity Hall and Rose Hall, also in St. James, after arriving in four separate vessels.
Earlier in January of the same year, ten Cuban rafters were detained in Coopers Pen, Trelawny Parish, with a court ordering their deportation.
In December 2024, Jamaica repatriated 21 Cuban migrants to Santiago de Cuba's port, marking the first maritime repatriation operation of this nature between the two countries.
More recently, in June 2025, six Cubans were apprehended after landing on Harvey beach in Rose Hall, St. James.
Jamaica's Immigration Laws
Jamaican law prohibits the employment of foreigners without a valid work permit and includes provisions for the detention and expulsion of irregular migrants. In the case of the three Cubans, none sought asylum or contacted immigration authorities during their more than six-month stay on the island.
Common Questions About Cuban Migrants in Jamaica
How do Cuban migrants typically arrive in Jamaica?
Cuban migrants often arrive in Jamaica by boat, typically landing along the coastal areas of St. James Parish.
What are the legal consequences for illegal entry into Jamaica?
Individuals found guilty of illegal entry may face fines, imprisonment, and deportation according to Jamaican immigration laws.
Are there any recent trends in Cuban migration to Jamaica?
There has been a noticeable pattern of Cuban migrants arriving irregularly by sea, especially in St. James Parish, with several cases reported in recent years.