Nearly two dozen migrants from Cuba made the journey for America, landing in the Florida Keys over the weekend to cheering locals.
The first group, containing 19 people, landed on the shore near Key West shortly after midnight on Sunday morning. Those on board said they spend 25 hours at sea in a homemade boat that took a month to build. The vessel took on water before reaching shore, forcing those on board to swim the final distance.
A second vessel, containing three men, came ashore near Marathon sometime Sunday. The migrants were met by people on the beach offering them food, water and even beer.
The United States’ policy on Cuban migrants, commonly called “Wet Foot, Dry Foot”, generally allows for those who make it to shore to stay in the country. Those captured at sea are returned back to Cuba after evaluation by officials.
The migrants were transported to Catholic Charities, which will work to place the migrants with relatives or friends in the South Florida area.
