Tens of thousands of Cubans flee to U.S. amid island's economic and political crisis

A total of 12,697 Cubans arrived in the U.S. in August, a drastic increase compared to 7,486 from July, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection,

So far during this fiscal year, a total of 184,643 Cubans have been encountered at the border.

The economic and political crisis in Cuba has caused a mass exodus from the Caribbean island, with tens of thousands of Cubans are fleeing to the United States in search of better living conditions.

The growing exodus comes in the wake of the Biden administration implementing a parole program to allow asylum requests from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

The humanitarian parole program has already created a path for 45,000 Cuban asylum seekers this year.

Still, the U.S. has also deported hundreds of Cubans, and has warned that crossing illegally will carry a minimum entry ban of five years.

Although the U.S. has opened limited legal avenues for entry, desperation has pushed thousands of Cubans to try to enter without papers.

With the evolving economic and political crisis in Cuba brewing without a solution, many have opined that the dangerous migratory journey Cubans are taking will continue to expand in the coming months.

Mexico has also reported thousands of Cubans have been stranded in Tapachula with plans to continue north toward the southwest U.S. border.

Another booming route is by air to Managua, with up to nine daily flights full of Cubans as a result of the visa exemption between Cuba and Nicaragua from 2021.