Cubans repatriated

(CNS): Fifteen Cuban migrants were repatriated Friday, 15 August, bringing the total number sent back to Cuba this year to 27. According to the Immigration Department, 92 Cuban migrants were repatriated last year, 104 were repatriated in 2006, and 122 were repatriated in 2005. Eighteen migrants remain at the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC).

Those still detained will be repatriated once permission to do so is received from the Cuban government. The migrants are returned under the consitions specified in the 1999 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Cuban and Cayman governments.

Under current government policy, introduced in January 2005, officials are required to give boat people a choice: either no help at all or assistance followed by incarceration and repatriation. Before these guidelines were introduced, the Cubans were often given food, water and fuel, as well as help with minor repairs, and allowed to go on their way.