30 Cubans found on Little Gasparilla Island
Originally posted on July 14, 2007
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office found 30 Cuban immigrants on
Little Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County this morning, according to
officials.
Dispatchers received a call at 6:52 a.m. from an island resident, who
was patrolling the beach for sea turtles, saying one of the Cuban's who
spoke no English was trying to ask for help.
Watch commander Richard McDonald said the group appeared to be in good
health.
"That was a large amount of people to be walking the beach so early in
the morning," McDonald said.
When deputies arrived, they transported all of the immigrants, which
included 20 men, six women and four children, to Gasparilla Marina.
Sheriff officials initially reported there were 27 immigrants.
Deputies notified Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and are
transporting the Cubans to Homestead for processing.
The Red Cross was also contacted about providing dry clothing, food and
water, according to officials.
There are conflicting reports as to how they arrived from Cuba to
Charlotte County and the case is under federal investigation.
McDonald said the vessel the Cubans say they arrived in could not be found.
The federal "wet foot-dry foot" policy says if migrants from Cuba reach
dry land, they most often are allowed to stay in the United States.
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070714/NEWS0121/70714012
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