MIAMI (WSVN) - A majority of the Cuban migrants that scaled a historic lighthouse in the Florida Keys are being sent to Guantanamo Bay, Friday.
Officials said 20 of the 24 migrants will be sent to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in hopes of finding a third country to call home. The reason for this transfer is due to what officials call a “legitimate proof of fear.”
This decision comes days after a federal judge ruled the group did not meet the requirement to stay in the United States.
Fernando Alvarez is hoping his cousin is among the 20 on their way to Guantanamo Bay. “I’m very happy happy at that, because at least 20 of them are gonna have right for the freedom,” said Alvarez.
A letter from the U.S. Attorney was filed after the Cubans were re-interviewed. It contained that 20 had credible fears of prosecution if they are sent back to the island.
While at Guantanamo, authorities will try to find a third country that will take in the migrants.
The remaining migrants, however, will be repatriated to Cuba.
Alvarez believes his cousin is included in the group fighting for their freedom. “I don’t have the name yet, but I have a big hope my cousin is going to be there,” said Alvarez.
Cuban activist Ramon Saul Sanchez, who has been fighting for the group, feels grateful. “I feel very happy and very grateful to live in a country where we can have this kind of differences with the government,” said Sanchez.
The announcement that some of the Cubans will go to Guantanamo came the same day as lawyers of the migrants announced the discovery of a message in a bottle. “What’s interesting is the big SOS that you see here,” said one of the lawyers.
The letter was found by fishermen and claims mistreatment by the Coast Guard, who is investigating the S.O.S. and released this statement: “The migrants were afforded the most comfortable conditions possible given the extenuating circumstances. All migrants receive food, water, clothing and medical care while onboard our cutters.”
According to U.S. laws, once the group of Cubans is in Guantanamo Bay, they will not be allowed back into the United States.
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