After refusing protection from the Cayman Islands Government, the 16 Cuban migrants who were intercepted in Cayman waters yesterday and again today, decided to continue their journey to another destination.
Chief Immigration Officer Linda Evans said her officers and the joint Immigration/Customs/RCIPS Marine Unit communicated with the migrants, prior to their departure. Department of Immigration officials have intercepted the 16 Cuban migrants (15 males and one female), who were travelling by boat to another destination.
The vessel was sighted this morning (7 February) moored off Prospect Point, and it subsequently moved to Jackson Point off South Sound – where it is now located. The joint Immigration/Customs/RCIPS Marine Unit is working to determine the intentions of the boaters.
However, the boat was first intercepted off Cayman Brac on Sunday morning; Assistant Chief Immigration Officer Roger Scott reported that a 21-foot Cuban vessel, powered by a diesel motor, was in the area of the Creek Port. The boat proceeded to the “Panama Canal” inlet, where the migrants explained they were in transit.
Immigration and police officers attended the scene until the vessel departed Cayman Brac at 11:30am.
Ms. Evans noted that this is the first migrant boat to be intercepted since two Cuban men arrived in Cayman waters in October 2009.
