In view of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States after 50-years, there has been an increase in the number of Cubans who are heading for the shores of America as revealed by officials of the U.S coast guard.

It seems this sudden spurt has been prompted by rumors that there would soon be an abrupt end, by January 15, to the so-called wet foot-dry foot policy. Under the terms of this policy, Cubans are shielded from deportation if they reach U.S shores.

However, in the opinion of U.S officials, there are no immediate plans to change the policy because in order to do that, Congress would have to change the Cuban Adjustment Act or the U.S trade embargo.

Lieutenant Commander Gabe Somma, a spokesman for the coast guard's seventh district in Miami has categorically said, "there is no change to immigration law. This rumor is just putting people in harm's way. The rumors are just not true."

U.S authorities have so far captured, intercepted, or chased away 421 Cubans since December 17.

In the month of December of the previous year, 2013, the total number of Cuban migrants who encountered U.S law enforcement while trying to reach the shores was nearly half that - just 222.

The number of migrants who undertake risky sea voyages toward U.S shores from the Caribbean, including Cuba and other countries, has spiked in the past year. Data of the coast guard indicates that in the fiscal year that ended September 30, the U.S authorities have captured, intercepted, or chased away at least 5,585 Haitians, 3,940 Cubans and hundreds from the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries who have tried to sneak into the country.