Cuba accepts US deportation flights as border crossings increase

Cuba agreed to deportation flights from the United States for Cubans held at the US border with Mexico, the first commitment of its kind in years, said three administration officials in Washington, which is seeking new tools to deter migration from the island.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has about a dozen Cuban citizens in custody who failed initial asylum processing at the border, said the officials, who requested anonymity. .

ICE is hoping to have enough Cuban deportees to fill a plane before sending one to Havana, they said.

A third source familiar with the matter said there was no formal new agreement for regular deportation flights, but that Cuba had agreed to accept occasional groups of deportees.

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