28 Cubans held at sea allowed into U.S. to testify

28 Cubans held at sea allowed into U.S. to testify

By Madeline Baró Diaz
and Ihosvani Rodriguez Miami Bureau
Posted July 21 2006

MIAMI · Twenty-eight Cubans involved in a deadly speedboat chase with
the Coast Guard were allowed into the United States on Thursday to serve
as witnesses against the men accused of trying to smuggle them into the
country.

U.S. Magistrate Lurana Snow granted 26 of the Cubans, including the
husband of a woman who died of head trauma during the July 8 chase,
$25,000 personal surety bonds. The bonds allow the U.S. government to
sue the Cubans for that amount if they do not keep authorities apprised
of their whereabouts and do not show up in court when needed. The two
others, who are minors, were released to relatives.

The group had been aboard a Coast Guard cutter for almost two weeks,
expecting to be repatriated to Cuba. But because they reached U.S. soil,
under U.S. immigration policy all the witnesses are eligible to apply
for permanent residency.

"I am so happy," said Ellie Enriquez, of Miramar, whose sister,
Elizabeth Machado Correa, was part of the group. "We were so afraid that
they would return them."

Although unusual, the move was not unprecedented. Cubans previously have
been allowed into the United States to serve as witnesses in smuggling
cases. Last year, the parents of a boy who died during a smuggling trip
were brought to the United States. In 2001, 20 survivors of a smuggling
trip in which six people died also were allowed into the United States
as witnesses.

The U.S. Attorney's Office emphasized the gravity of the case in making
this decision.

"Today's decision is the result of the unique circumstances of this
specific criminal matter and is a reflection of our determination to
engage in a complete investigation and a vigorous prosecution of all
individuals associated with this incident using all prosecutorial tools
at our disposal," U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta said in a news release.

Rolando Gonzalez Delgado, Heinrich Castillo Diaz and Amil Gonzalez
Rodriguez were charged with smuggling and are being held without bail.
Gonzalez Rodriguez was among the Cubans who left the island, but federal
prosecutors have accused him of helping Gonzalez Delgado and Castillo
Diaz. If convicted, they could be sentenced to life in prison.

The smuggling suspects, their families and the families of those on the
speedboat have denied it was a smuggling trip and said Gonzalez Delgado
and Castillo Diaz rescued the group from a sinking makeshift boat.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said it is still investigating to determine
whether there will be more charges in the case.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pdcubans21jul21,0,1462865.story?coll=sfla-news-palm