US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned that Haitians and Cubans would be repatriated if they try to flee to the United States amid unrest in their respective countries.

“The time is never right to attempt migration by sea,” Mayorkas said on Tuesday, according to AFP inputs. “This risk is not worth taking.”

Clarifying the consequences, Mayorkas said, “If you take the sea, you will not come to the United States.”

“Any migrant intercepted at sea, regardless of their nationality, will not be permitted to enter the United States,” Mayorkas said.

Mayorkas remarks come at a time when both the Caribbean countries are in political turmoil.

Haitian President Jovenel Moise was assassinated last week, leaving the country’s leadership in disarray, while Cuba experienced broad and unprecedented protests over the weekend over degrading economic and social conditions under the communist regime.

However, there is still no evidence of an increase in attempts to cross into the United States by boat from the two countries south of Florida, according to Mayorkas.

However, he stated that the Coast Guard is patrolling the waters with the assistance of planes from the southeast state, and any migrant vessels would be intercepted.

Mayorkas also warned that the trip would be dangerous, especially across the straits of Florida, given the ongoing hurricane season and that 20 people had died in recent weeks trying to reach the US.

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Meanwhile, as the unrest continues, the United States is continuing to help Haiti investigate the assassination and has Coast Guard ships just off its coast.

“We are committed to supporting the Haitian government, as it seeks justice in this case, and we affirm the United States support for the people of Haiti,” he said., according to AFP inputs.

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Speaking of the turmoil in Cuba, the Security Secretary said, “We also stand in solidarity with the Cuban people, and their call for freedom from the repression and economic suffering that Cuba’s authoritarian regime is causing.”