Number of Cubans Stopped at Sea Hits Two-Decade High

The number of Cubans stopped at sea while attempting to get to the United States reached the highest level last fiscal year than at any time since the 1994 rafter crisis, the Sun Sentinel reports. 

According to just-released figures, the U.S. Coast Guard stopped 2,924 Cubans who were attempting to enter the United States in the fiscal year that ended September 30. October, which is the first month of fiscal 2016, saw the largest monthly number, 433, than any in fiscal 2015.

Cubans may be fearing America's new relationship with Cuba could be bringing its longstanding policy of allowing any Cuban who arrives in the United States to obtain legal residency – even if they enter illegally– to an end.

The current "wet foot-dry foot" policy allows the Coast Guard to return anyone to Cuba found at sea, but they must be allowed to enter the United States if they can set foot on shore.

As a result, Cubans have often risked their lives on barely sea-worthy vessels in an attempt to get to America.

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