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US will turn back fleeing Haitians
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
MIAMI, Florida (AP) -- United States authorities are readying for a potential influx of Haitians seeking to escape their earthquake-wracked nation, even though the policy for migrants remains the same: with few exceptions, they will go back.
So far, fears of a mass migration have yet to materialise. However, conditions in Haiti grow more dire each day and US officials don't want to be caught off guard.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Haitians line the banks of the main wharf hoping to get a ride in any one of many small boats for hire in Port-au- Prince, Haiti, yesterday. With the city left in ruins after last week's deadly earthquake, many of the displaced people are leaving town and travelling to stay with relatives in outlying towns. (Photo: AP)
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Haitians line the banks of the main wharf hoping to get a ride in any one of many small boats for hire in Port-au- Prince, Haiti, yesterday. With the city left in ruins after last week's deadly earthquake, many of the displaced people are leaving town and travelling to stay with relatives in outlying towns. (Photo: AP) Between 250 and 400 immigration detainees are being moved from South Florida's main detention centre to clear space for any Haitian who manages to reach US shores, according to the Homeland Security Department. The Navy base at Guantanamo Bay could house migrants temporarily -- far from suspected terrorists also being held there -- and the Catholic church is working on a plan to accept Haitian orphans.
The mass migration plan, known as "Operation Vigilant Sentry", was put in place in 2003 because of previous experiences with Caribbean migrations, said Coast Guard Lt Cmdr Chris O'Neil, spokesman for the Homeland Security Task Force Southeast that would manage any Haitian influx.
"There is no new incentive for anyone to try to enter the United States illegally by sea," O'Neil said. "The goal is to interdict them at sea and repatriate them."
Raymond Joseph, ambassador of Haiti in Washington, recorded a message in Creole over the weekend, warning his countrymen: "Don't rush on boats to leave the country."
"Because, I'll be honest with you: If you think you will reach the US and all the doors will be wide open to you, that's not at all the case," Joseph said, according to a transcript on America.gov, a State Department site. "And they will intercept you right on the water and send you back home where you came from."
Homeland Security spokesman Sean Smith said Monday that orphans who have ties to the US -- such as a family member already living here -- and Haitians evacuated for medical reasons are among those who can gain special permission to remain in the US.
The message was underscored by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano during a weekend appearance at Homestead Air Reserve Base south of Miami, a key staging area for Haiti relief flights.
"This is a very dangerous crossing. Lives are lost every time people try to make this crossing," Napolitano said, addressing Haitians directly. "Please do not have us divert our necessary rescue and relief efforts that are going into Haiti by trying to leave at this point."
Some immigration advocates say the US should shift away from stopping migrants and ease safe passage. They say those on approved waiting lists should be able to join spouses or relatives in the US.
"We should be figuring out an orderly transition for people to come here, instead of being panicked about it," said Ira Kurzban, a leading Miami immigration attorney.
The Obama administration's decision last week to grant temporary protected status to Haitians in the US illegally as of January 12 does not extend to those attempting to enter the US after that date.
So far this year, the Coast Guard has intercepted 17 Haitians at sea, all before the earthquake struck. The 2009 total of 1,782 was higher than any year since 2004, when more than 3,200 Haitians were stopped attempting to reach US shores.
That was a year of political upheaval in Haiti following the collapse of the government of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
US policy notwithstanding, the Catholic Church in Miami is working on a proposal that would allow thousands of orphan children to come permanently to this country.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
MIAMI, Florida (AP) -- United States authorities are readying for a potential influx of Haitians seeking to escape their earthquake-wracked nation, even though the policy for migrants remains the same: with few exceptions, they will go back.
So far, fears of a mass migration have yet to materialise. However, conditions in Haiti grow more dire each day and US officials don't want to be caught off guard.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Haitians line the banks of the main wharf hoping to get a ride in any one of many small boats for hire in Port-au- Prince, Haiti, yesterday. With the city left in ruins after last week's deadly earthquake, many of the displaced people are leaving town and travelling to stay with relatives in outlying towns. (Photo: AP)
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Haitians line the banks of the main wharf hoping to get a ride in any one of many small boats for hire in Port-au- Prince, Haiti, yesterday. With the city left in ruins after last week's deadly earthquake, many of the displaced people are leaving town and travelling to stay with relatives in outlying towns. (Photo: AP) Between 250 and 400 immigration detainees are being moved from South Florida's main detention centre to clear space for any Haitian who manages to reach US shores, according to the Homeland Security Department. The Navy base at Guantanamo Bay could house migrants temporarily -- far from suspected terrorists also being held there -- and the Catholic church is working on a plan to accept Haitian orphans.The mass migration plan, known as "Operation Vigilant Sentry", was put in place in 2003 because of previous experiences with Caribbean migrations, said Coast Guard Lt Cmdr Chris O'Neil, spokesman for the Homeland Security Task Force Southeast that would manage any Haitian influx.
"There is no new incentive for anyone to try to enter the United States illegally by sea," O'Neil said. "The goal is to interdict them at sea and repatriate them."
Raymond Joseph, ambassador of Haiti in Washington, recorded a message in Creole over the weekend, warning his countrymen: "Don't rush on boats to leave the country."
"Because, I'll be honest with you: If you think you will reach the US and all the doors will be wide open to you, that's not at all the case," Joseph said, according to a transcript on America.gov, a State Department site. "And they will intercept you right on the water and send you back home where you came from."
Homeland Security spokesman Sean Smith said Monday that orphans who have ties to the US -- such as a family member already living here -- and Haitians evacuated for medical reasons are among those who can gain special permission to remain in the US.
The message was underscored by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano during a weekend appearance at Homestead Air Reserve Base south of Miami, a key staging area for Haiti relief flights.
"This is a very dangerous crossing. Lives are lost every time people try to make this crossing," Napolitano said, addressing Haitians directly. "Please do not have us divert our necessary rescue and relief efforts that are going into Haiti by trying to leave at this point."
Some immigration advocates say the US should shift away from stopping migrants and ease safe passage. They say those on approved waiting lists should be able to join spouses or relatives in the US.
"We should be figuring out an orderly transition for people to come here, instead of being panicked about it," said Ira Kurzban, a leading Miami immigration attorney.
The Obama administration's decision last week to grant temporary protected status to Haitians in the US illegally as of January 12 does not extend to those attempting to enter the US after that date.
So far this year, the Coast Guard has intercepted 17 Haitians at sea, all before the earthquake struck. The 2009 total of 1,782 was higher than any year since 2004, when more than 3,200 Haitians were stopped attempting to reach US shores.
That was a year of political upheaval in Haiti following the collapse of the government of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
US policy notwithstanding, the Catholic Church in Miami is working on a proposal that would allow thousands of orphan children to come permanently to this country.
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