San Juan.- A total of 1,504 undocumented Dominicans and Cubans managed to cross to Puerto Rico between October 2005 and October 2006, according to United States Coastguard figures.
The U.S. federal coastal agency says that 797 Dominicans and 707 Cubans made the treacherous crossing across the Mona Passage between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. However, 3,116 Dominicans and 106 Cubans were thwarted in their attempt to immigrate illegally when intercepted by the Coastguard, the PR Police United Rapid Action Force and U.S. Border Patrol agents while on the high seas.
During this period, 457 undocumented Cuban and Dominican nationals arrived on the Isla de la Mona. However, a further 570 were detained in the attempt. As the Isla de la Mona is Puerto Rican territory, the Cubans who make landfall are protected by U.S. law that entitles them to work, and after a year and a day they may apply for U.S. residency.
The U.S. federal coastal agency says that 797 Dominicans and 707 Cubans made the treacherous crossing across the Mona Passage between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. However, 3,116 Dominicans and 106 Cubans were thwarted in their attempt to immigrate illegally when intercepted by the Coastguard, the PR Police United Rapid Action Force and U.S. Border Patrol agents while on the high seas.
During this period, 457 undocumented Cuban and Dominican nationals arrived on the Isla de la Mona. However, a further 570 were detained in the attempt. As the Isla de la Mona is Puerto Rican territory, the Cubans who make landfall are protected by U.S. law that entitles them to work, and after a year and a day they may apply for U.S. residency.