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Several Hundred Cuban Migrants Land At Dry Tortugas National Park

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By NPT Staff - January 1st, 2023

Migrants hoping to reach the United States by boat have landed at Dry Tortugas National Park/NPS file

Approximately 300 migrants hoping to reach the United States by boat landed the past few days at Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida, where authorities plan to close the park Monday while law enforcement and medical personnel evaluate the individuals, provide care where necessary, and coordinate their transport to Key West.

The closure, which is expected to last several days, is necessary for the safety of visitors and staff because of the resources and space needed to attend to the migrants, said a release from the park. Concession-operated ferry and sea plane services are temporarily suspended.

According to the release, the park "has recently seen an increase in people arriving by boat from Cuba. ... Park first responders provide food, water and basic medical attention until the Department of Homeland Security arrives and takes the lead." 

While the park is closed, vessels may seek safe harbor in the designated areas within the one nautical mile anchoring zone around Garden Key, including Bird Key Harbor, the release said.

There will be no visitor services available while the closure is in effect and emergency services will be extremely limited.

Though unusual, this is not the first time migrants have reached the United States by entering a national park. Most recently, Big Bend National Park in Texas saw an influx of migrants late in 2021.

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