Washington DC – As unrest grows in Haiti and Cuba, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas delivered a clear message to those who might be considering the journey to the US.

"The time is never right to attempt migration by sea," Mayorkas told potential migrants during a Tuesday press conference at the US Coast Guard Headquarters, as reported by Politico. "To those who risk their lives doing so, this risk is not worth taking."

"Allow me to be clear: If you take to the sea, you will not come to the United States," he continued.

Amid confusion after the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse and recent anti-government protests in Cuba, the Biden administration is apparently concerned that more Haitians and Cubans will attempt the journey.

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Mayorkas, himself born in Cuba, said there has not been a recent increase in migrants by sea from the island nations, but added that the US Coast Guard will be watching the waters in the Caribbean and near the Florida coast for further developments.

"Any migrant intercepted at sea, regardless of their nationality, will not be permitted to enter the United States," he warned.

Mayorkas did, however, add that the US is currently evaluating parole programs, ended under the Trump administration, for Haitians and Cubans in their origin countries who want to migrate. Reinstating the Cuban family reunification parole program is one of President Biden's still-unfulfilled campaign promises.

In May, the Biden administration also extended the temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitians by another 18 months. Mayorkas was very clear that TPS is not an "immigration program," but rather a protected status for Haitians already residing in the US.

Mayorkas' warning comes after Kamala Harris faced criticism during her first international trip as vice president, when she told potential Guatemalan migrants, "Do not come, do not come."