Seven Cuban migrants found off the Florida Keys were taken in by the Coast Guard, given basic medical attention, food and water, and then returned to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba.
Coast Guard Air Station Miami launched a helicopter and Coast Guard Station Islamorada launched a boat crew to respond to the report. Station Islamorada arrived on scene and rescued the migrants from the partially submerged vessel, authorities said.
Under U.S. policy initiated in 1995, known as “wet-food, dry-foot,” Cubans who reach U.S. soil are put on a fast track to permanent residency. Those who are apprehended in the water between the two countries are considered to have “wet feet” and are sent back home.
Read more on the Cuban migrants here.
