63 Cuban migrants repatriated

Cubans repatriated after attempting to illegally migrate to US

MIAMI – Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell repatriated 63 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba on Wednesday.

This repatriation was a result of five different migrant interdictions between Sept. 25 and Sept. 29 where Coast Guard crews noticed unseaworthy and overloaded vessels in the Florida Straits.

The crews picked up the migrants, then transferred them to the cutter for repatriation.

"The Coast Guard and our partner agencies continue to diligently patrol the waters around the United States to deter illegal migrant activity," said Capt. Mark Fedor, chief of response enforcement for the Seventh Coast Guard District. "Our main concern is the safety of life at sea. When migrants put their lives in the hands of smugglers, or take to the sea aboard unseaworthy vessels, they put their lives at grave risk."

Once aboard the Coast Guard cutter, all migrants received food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention.