The number of illegal migrants apprehended while trying to reach the United States by sea from Haiti and Cuba has hit a five-year high, Coast Guard officials said.
Over 4,300 Haitians have either been stopped at sea or are known to have arrived in Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland since Oct. 1, while the number of Cubans stands at 2,985, NBC reports, a total of around 850 more than last year.
Coast Guard officials said they are the highest numbers of the last five years.
The journey is dangerous and many Haitians and Cubans drown along the way, federal officials say.
The surge in captured migrants comes partly due to aggressive activity by Haitian smugglers, as well as relaxed travel policies introduced under Cuban President Raul Castro.
[NBC]
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- The Revolution of Yulia Navalnaya
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- Stop Looking for Your Forever Home
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com