Cuban Detainees May Be Freed

ATLANTA — A federal judge said today that he will release 35 Cuban detainees next Wednesday unless the government comes up with reasons they should remain at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary pending possible deportation back to Cuba.

U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob held a hearing with attorneys for the government and the Cubans in the ongoing controversy over the fate of detained Mariel refugees. The 35 Shoob said he will release are among 2,746 Cubans the United States plans to deport as undesirable aliens under an agreement with Cuba.