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US COAST GUARD RESPONDS TO CLAIMS OF CHANGE IN POLICY TOWARD CUBAN MIGRANTS
The Coast Guard has responded to concerns expressed by Cuban-Americans that its policy toward rescuing Cuban rafters has changed in the past few months.  In early February, one Cuban died on a Coast Guard cutter as the Coast Guard debated the course of medical treatment to pursue.  Earlier this month, the same cutter with the same crew rescued 14 rafters and immediately brought them ashore for medical treatment. 
Many in the Cuban-American community say the different result was caused by criticism of the Coast Guard after the first incident.  The Coast Guard says there was no change in policy, and that the different result was merely because of different circumstances.  
According to a Coast Guard spokesperson, rescue in the first incident was made difficult because of rough seas.  Also, the medic on board the cutter believed he could provide adequate medical treatment at sea, and when the medic realized otherwise, critical hours had passed.  The May incident was different in that the boat was closer to shore, making a quick rescue easier.  Also, 8 of the 12 people on board were unconscious when the Coast Guard arrived, making the need for medical attention clearer. 
Regardless of the way in which a Cuban reaches US land, once they are here, they are eligible to apply for permanent residence.  This policy has led to accusations from the Cuban government that people are risking their lives, making themselves so ill that they must be taken to US hospitals when they are rescued at sea.