34 Cuban refugees probably will be released to family members

34 Cuban refugees probably will be released to family members
By Leon Fooksman | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
November 16, 2007

The 34 Cuban refugees who came ashore Thursday morning on the north end
of Palm Beach were expected to be released to family members, according
to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Another refugee, a 39-year-old man, died, most likely due to drowning,
said Robert Swathwood of the Border Patrol.

Five children — some as young as 2 — and 29 adults came ashore between
1:30 and 2:30 a.m. after spending 10 to 12 hours adrift in the ocean,
Swathwood said.

They likely were smuggled from the Bahamas, he said. Officials didn't
say what part of Cuba they originated from.

Authorities were looking at a boat found in Martin County as the
possible smuggling boat but said only that the matter remained under
investigation.

"It's very important that the community understands that the federal
government continues to discourage illegal migration by sea," said
Barbara Gonzalez, spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement. "Not only is it illegal but it's also deadly, as we
witnessed today. Smugglers have no regard for human life."

The Cubans were dropped off about 40 to 50 feet off the beach and swam
to shore, Swathwood said. Most wore life jackets.

They clustered in the area of Mockingbird Trail and North Ocean Drive in
Palm Beach, where police picked them up. They were taken to a health
clinic in Miami for evaluation. After that, they were expected to be
released.

Most of them were sunburned, but none appeared to be ill, Swathwood said.

Cuban refugees who reach U.S. soil generally are allowed to stay in the
country and obtain permanent residency. They can apply for legal
residence after a year and one day if they have not been convicted of a
crime.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/cuba/sfl-flpcubans1116pnnov16,0,2885063.story