Posted on 01/15/2008 6:28:46 AM PST by devane617
With just the clothes on their backs, 14 Cuban migrants arrived along the Rickenbacker Causeway Tuesday morning shivering but happy.
They were greeted by passing bicyclists who said in Spanish, ``Welcome to America. Viva Cuba!''
After taking off Monday night from the coastal town of Guanabo in a go-fast boat, the migrants -- nine men and five women, ranging in age from late teens to 60s -- arrived in South Florida about 6:30 a.m., they said.
With temperatures dipping overnight, it was a cold trip, they added.
The arrival may signal that last year's accelerated migration from the island has not abated.
''I left my shoes behind. But I can buy new shoes here,'' said 29-year-old Dubiel Conde, who said he is industrial engineer.
He also left behind his 67-year-old mother, his brothers and his sisters.
He said his father, Jose, arrived during the Marial boatlift but has since died. His uncle still lives in Tampa, he said.
Eddie Camejo, a Key Biscayne resident who frequently rushes out to greet migrants as they arrive, showed up and gave one man his shoes.
Pedro Faustino Gonzalez-Mirabal, 43, broke down into tears. He left his entire family in Pinar del Rio, he said.
The migrants were picked up by the Border Patrol about 8:30 a.m. City of Miami police officers stayed with the group until Border Patrol arrived, but two cops had to leave, responding to a burglary in progress.
Under the U.S. government's wet foot/dry foot policy, Cubans who arrive on U.S. soil are generally allowed to stay in the country while those interdicted at sea are generally sent back.
Migrants?..............
The Coast Guard has interdicted 202 Cuban migrants in January. Given the challenges of patrolling thousands of square miles, I’d say they are doing a pretty good job.
Except that the U.S. considers Cubans as refugees, not illegal immigrants. If they make it to shore, the get to stay. If they’re intercepted at sea, they go back to Cuba.
Unless you want that to change?
I think its time to END the Cuban embargo - unless we have immediate invasion plans or something. What’s the difference between commie China and commie Cuba? I wonder if commie Cuba could really hold on with an invasion of trade and tourism from the US.
Perhaps if you joined the Coast Guard more work would be accomplished.
Signed,
A Proud Coastie Chick
I agree...open Cuba up to free trade. Once they see the money flowing their way, they will not resist. Cuba will be the hottest destination for tourists in the world.
I understand your point. However, there is an area surrounding Cuba that once a boat leaves, we should start tracking. My original point about bringing a dirty device via a small boat from Cuba still stands. That is a big problem.
And I congratulate any Cuban who manages to escape the COMMUNIST DICTATORSHIP.
Actually, according to US law, these people are not illegal. They are legally entitled to come here because they are dissidents fleeing a terrible regime.
You're thinking too clearly. The exiles -- and the five Cuban-American members of Congress -- firmly believe that trade and tourism would just line Fidel's pocket and further prop up his regime. And it's generally political suicide to go against this line. Even Debbie Whatshername-Schultz, the most liberal of Florida Dems in Congress, supports the embargo. No hay middle ground.
A lot of the Cubans come in through Mexico...the authorities stop the bus in the US, order everyone out, then as soon as they step on US soil from the bus, they are allowed to stay.
I thought they were Refugees.
And what makes you think we don’t have operatives in Cuba who monitor these things? No sense showing your hand because some industrial engineer wants to fill up a speed boat with some neighbors and live a better life?
90 miles
What is you DUmpster name?
Cuban refugees from Castro’s Cuba rapidly become great Americans.
They are not illegal, at all. Once they set foot on American soil, they are legal.
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