U.S. Coast Guard Returns 36 Cubans Picked Up at Sea, Including 22 in Speedboat

AP ^ | 2-27-04

[nuconvert]

U.S. Coast Guard Returns 36 Cubans Picked Up at Sea, Including 22 in Speedboat

Feb 27, 2004

The Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) - Thirty-six Cubans - including 22 in a speedboat racing toward Florida - were returned to Cuba this week after separate interdictions at sea, the Coast Guard said Friday. The larger group was spotted in the speedboat Sunday about 10 miles east of Key Largo by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement aircraft, according to a Coast Guard news release.

Twenty-one were repatriated and one, a suspected smuggler, was turned over to federal law enforcement.

Under U.S. immigration law, Cubans intercepted at sea are generally returned to the island nation, while those who reach shore are usually allowed to remain in the United States.

On Feb. 16, another 20 Cubans were rescued by a Good Samaritan from a sinking vessel 273 miles west of Key West, according to the news release.

That group was transferred to a Coast Guard cutter, where a 6-year-old diabetic girl was treated at sea and then transferred with her parents to a hospital. Two more migrants from the group of 20 were transferred to the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The other 15 were repatriated.

Cubans found at sea who demonstrate a credible fear of persecution are taken to Guantanamo for additional processing.

[nuconvert]

"Cubans found at sea who demonstrate a credible fear of persecution... "

Like this WON'T happen when they're returned to Cuba?

[zarf]

Don't start. Why should the Cubes be allowed to come over while Haitians are turned away?

Send them all back unless they come LEGALLY.

[dinok]

So why don't we do that with Mexicans?
Instead we give them amnesty.

I came to this nation in 1970 as a legal immigrant. In other words...my family ASKED to come here. We followed the laws and have not only contributed, but we have served our nation in the military asking for no special favor.

I want to thank the pro-amnesty people for making a mockery of my citizenship...

[nuconvert]

"Why should the Cubes be allowed to come over while Haitians are turned away?"

Castro.......

[Zack Nguyen]

This is shameful. They are trying to cross the ocean because they want to get out of Cuba, a Communist country.

[gedeon3]

I came in 1973. I totally agree with you.

[Iberian]

Because the Cubans own the state of Florida, have incredible connections start Biz's Get careers and contribute to the economy.
They take care of their own and have resources.
The haitians come here and end up as hotel maids??

That may be who knows

[nuconvert]

"I want to thank the pro-amnesty people for making a mockery of my citizenship..."

I can understand why you feel that way. I don't like Bush's Mexican immigration policy either.

"So why don't we do that with Mexicans?"

My only explanation is...it's harder. If the patrol area were smaller, I think we would be. The problem should have been tackled 30 years ago.

[zarf]

Why don't we tick off the names of a dozen more tyrants and let their victims roll on in too.

I'll tell ya what- for every Cuban that we let in lets let a Haitian in too -agreed?

[zarf]

They're black. Nuff said.

[Iberian]

Sorry, if we did that we would have too many bankers(Cubans) and too many Hotel maids. :-)

[nuconvert]

I have no problem with anyone's race.

The solution to the problem is to get rid of Castro.
For the life of me, I don't know why we don't. (my only guess, is that we keep waiting for him to die)

[Iberian]

Because has a formidable army and can't be taken without killing a lot of people.

[nuconvert]

"formidable army "

I don't think so. And I think they'd desert.
I think we could do it fairly easily.

[Iberian]

Maybe, I'm betting that they are tough. They are well Trained and armed. Their air force and the navy could probably be taken out quick.
But Cuba has their army organized in 3 different sections of the country and multiple sub support units down to the 15 yr olds.
If Castro dies his brother Raul will take over. Raul has been the leader of the armed forces since at least 1964.

He is the real beast, Fidel is a wuss compared to him.

[Smocker]

This policy was a Clinton Presidential order, Bush could change the policy with a presidential order of his own, why doesn't he?

[nuconvert]

If we kill Castro, his brother's history.