FLASHBACK: 12th February 2016: Nearly a million dollars spent on Cuban migrants since July

Government has spent more than three quarters of a million dollars in the last seven and a half months to deal with the flow of Cuban migrants arriving on these shores as they flee their homeland in rickety boats.

This has come to light as government provided an update Thursday about the situation, which has seen the Immigration Detention Centre at capacity and other venues being used to house migrants.

According to government, since the current financial year began in July 2015, an estimated CI$870,000 from the public purse has been spent on migrants.

As many as 123 Cubans remain in custody, with another 17 opting to remain on a boat in local waters as they wait for the bad weather to pass. Since the start of 2016, 52 migrants have been repatriated.

A number of migrants, seven in total, escaped the East End Civic Centre last Friday. On Tuesday, the last of that group was taken back into custody. “At present only two migrants who went missing from a landing site at Beach Bay at the end of January remain at large,” the government statement said.

Immigration officials urge members of the public not to approach any person whom they suspect to be a missing migrant. Instead individuals should contact 911, Immigration enforcement officers, or the nearest branch of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS).

“Acknowledging strong local support for the migrants, officials note that international law prohibits the Cayman Islands from facilitating illegal migration. This extends, they say, to the public assisting migrants, on land or in local waters, with food, shelter, transportation, or other  forms of comfort,” the statement added.

It said although persons who arrive in such a manner are detained pending a repatriation process, the Cayman Islands Government is responsible for ensuring that they are able to access resources necessary for health and well-being while in custody. This includes food, clothes and medical treatment.

“All rights and privileges are extended to these migrants according to local and international laws and conventions,” states Acting Chief Immigration Office Bruce Smith.

Local charity Cayman Acts of Random Kindness and the Red Cross have been assisting with supplies and clothing for the Cubans in detention.

The Immigration Department notes the restriction on assistance is in part due to the dangerous and potentially fatal journey such individuals face. In 2014, the United Nations (UN) estimated that 73 migrants had gone missing in the Caribbean area. International organisations believe the 2015 number to be higher due to increased migrant travel.’