Cuban border-crossers crowd Miami's Children and Families offices

Hundreds of Cuban immigrants who have entered the United States in recent weeks are lining up at immigration offices designed to provide assistance.

Cubans have been lining up outside the Department of Children and Families offices in the city of Hialeah, Miami-Dade County, for several days to apply for benefits, according to an America Tevé exclusive.

"I thought I was never going to queue again and here I am, like in the queue for chicken and cigars in Cuba," joked an immigrant in statements to America Tevé, claiming that she has been in the same place for two days and two nights without getting an answer.

Some even sleep nearby for fear out of fear of missing their turn in line. "We have been standing in line for three days now to apply for aid. We have to stay overnight because if you leave, you lose your place," added another interviewee.

The state of Florida assists with up to $220 in food stamps, $180 in cash, and health insurance for those entering the country under refugee status.

"In the morning, they give 40 slots. Now they are going to start giving out 30. They give out the slots, and those who are left in line agree and stay for the next day. That's how the line goes, but because there are so many people, sometimes it takes up to three days to get in," said a young man.

Immigration attorney, Santiago Alpízar, claimed that "this type of assistance for a refugee is very important because it provides the new arrivals with basic resources to cope with their new life, especially considering that they have spent everything on the border crossings to reach the United States.

About 7,100 migrants are apprehended daily trying to cross the border from Mexico, a significant increase from February's daily average of 5,900, Border Patrol Chief Raul L. Ortiz reported two weeks ago at a Border Security Expo in Texas, reported the Associated Press.

The official added that the number of Cubans apprehended crossing the U.S. border reached a record high of 1,500 migrants on Monday, March 28, more than double the daily average since February.

The massive arrival of Cubans at the U.S. southern border was also significant in February, when 16,550 people arrived, the largest number for a month in the last 20 years.

The authorities claim that March will break all records for the entry of Cubans through the land border with the United States, in addition to the increase in illegal maritime travel through the Straits of Florida in small boats, which is also registering very high numbers.