13 Cuban migrants make landfall in Florida Keys on homemade boat

Cubans turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection

BIG PINE KEY, Fla. ā€“ A group of 13 Cuban migrants came ashore early Tuesday in the Florida Keys.

The migrants arrived on Big Pine Key just after 4 a.m., Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Becky Herrin said.

They said they traveled from Cuba on a homemade boat that was docked at the Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge when deputies arrived.

The migrants were placed into the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Under the U.S. "wet foot, dry foot" policy, Cubans who step foot on U.S. soil are typically allowed to stay, while those intercepted at sea are sent back.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.