16 Cuban migrants land in Puerto Rico after boat voyages

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Authorities in Puerto Rico say 16 Cuban migrants have arrived in the U.S. territory by boat.

One group of 11 men and women landed in northwestern Puerto Rico near the Rincon lighthouse. Another group of five men arrived at Mona Island off the west coast.

Border patrol spokesman Jeffrey Quinones said Saturday that the migrants would likely be released and cited to appear before an immigration judge. Under longstanding policy, Cubans who reach U.S. territory are almost always allowed to remain.

Quinones said Cubans are now outnumbering Dominican and Haitian migrants in attempting the sea passage to Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic, about 60 miles (100 kilometres) to the west. He said 356 Cubans, 253 Dominicans and 19 Haitians have been detained along the route this year.

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