First Batch Of Cuban Migrants Arrives In The U.S After Central American Nations, Mexico Reach A New Immigration Deal

Following the new agreement reached between Mexico and five Central American Countries, a number of Cuban migrants have arrived in Miami after being stranded in Costa Rica. The Cubans, seeking asylum in the United States, have decided to take the circuitous route from Costa Rica through Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. However, their journey met an obstacle when Nicaragua decided to close its border mid-November, leaving nearly 8,000 migrants stranded, Local 10 News reported.

Through the immigration agreement made by the Central American nations, a group of 180 Cubans was able to arrive successfully at the United States-Mexico border by bus and plane. The group was part of the pilot program which assisted them in their departure from Costa Rica.

CNN News reported Monday that some of the migrants were able to arrive at Miami International Airport and have been reunited with their respective families.

One of the migrants, Joel Blanco, was very glad that he finally reached the place and his family. His sister, Jacky Urroz, said that they had experience "months of anxiety, sleepless nights, and worries" thinking about the situation of her brother.

According to CNN, Blanco started his journey to the U.S. on Oct. 28. He traveled by plane from Cuba to Ecuador so he could travel by land passing eight more countries before reaching the United States. He tried to find his way around the Nicaragua blockage but was deported back to Costa Rica after being abandoned by a smuggler.

Laredo's Catholic Social Services Executive Director, Becky Solloa, said she "was downtown to check out the flow of the Cubans who were coming through, and it was not as chaotic." She also added that most of the migrants had the financial means to purchase plane tickets and had their families to escort them to their individual destinations.

Meanwhile, others have perceived the new immigration pact as problematic.

Ninonska Perez, a host for a Spanish-language radio proram, said, "some people are upset because obviously a lot of these Cubans are receiving funds once they get here for help, and eventually they end up later in Cuba," quoted Miami CBS on Tuesday.