100 Haitian Migrants Reach Florida Coast

Migrants Arrive In Overcrowded, Rickety Sailboat; 1 Body Washes Up On Beach

(AP)  About 100 migrants, apparently from Haiti, were being treated for dehydration Wednesday after their dilapidated, overloaded sailboat reached the Florida shore, officials said. At least one person died in the crossing.

Some of the migrants swam from the boat to shore, while others jumped out onto the beach after the boat landed.

"The boat was unseaworthy and grossly overloaded," Coast Guard Petty Officer Jennifer Johnson said.

It was not immediately clear exactly how many people were aboard or if any were children, Coast Guard spokesman Dana Warr said. He said one body washed up on the beach, and the Coast Guard and local authorities were searching for other possible migrants.

The group had been on the boat for several days, said Border Patrol spokesman Victor Colon. Immigration officials planned to interview the migrants Wednesday.

Haitians who illegally make it into the United States are generally sent back. Most Cubans who reach American soil are allowed to stay under U.S. policy. Last year, Coast Guard agents patrolling the waters of South Carolina, Florida and the Caribbean stopped 6,061 migrants, 769 of them from Haiti.

[agnim]

If the bushman didn't do his devilish and racist 'regime change' in Haiti, we wouldn't now having these unfortunate people risking lives on worthless 'boat' on high seas, just to earn a free return ride home to Haiti.

[olebd]

Sorry folks, the park's closed. (Wally Moose)

Pump them full of Gatorade and send them back on a airplane...first class. If they don't want to go back, let Chavez in Venezuela take care of them there.

[theusa1st]

Where is our homeland security? These people should have been intercepted and sent back before ever reaching our shores...send them back.

[cathaleen]

Haitians are hard working people - at least they
appreciate this country.

[olebd]

Haitians are hard working people - at least they
appreciate this country.
Posted by cathaleen at 03:42 PM : Mar 28, 2007


But try to go to their country and walk around for a while. You'd be beaten severely and robbed.
They sure don't like U.S. citizens in their country.

[cathaleen]

Who wants to go to Haiti, Cuba, Mexico - that's why these people come here - you can't make laws for one group (if they are on land, they stay) and not for another.

[hambonehd]

And we didn't sink the boat?

[sclaires]

SEND THEM BACK TO HAITI!!!! And as fast as possible. The only reason they came is to see how much money they can get from the government. After all, our government does not care about the citizens already here but will support the ones who come here illegally. If they want to work, let them rebuild Haiti. After all they are responsible for the destruction of it.

[hambonehd]

sclaires,
AMEN !

[ajmystic]

Ok,here we go again. More illegal immigrants. Didn't the coast guard see the boat before it came on shore? I think we should bring all our troops back from the other countries (including our supposed allies' countries) and station them on our borders. That boat would have never seen land if we had armed soldiers on the beach. How about it Mr. President? Can we bring out fighting men and women home to protect us for a change?

[ms_anotte]

I think it isnt fair and they should have a second chance. They risk their lives and work extrmely hard when they do come to America for min. wages and even less providing for their families. Its sad to see a country this big has no heart to see what these hatian are going through just to make a better life for them selves and their childeren. Some even dying not making it killing just for a better life...which is called freedom. I'm Hatian and its heart breaking to see my people die and go through all of this and the American family act as if its so bad that because of the law which is already srewed up. Its not fair and it will never be fair their humans too. Cubans can stay why can haitian why??? Is it a raciam hopefully not..Please theres childeren involved look at the bigger picture instead of the race. I think they can get a second chance a second chance at life a better one at least..I hope my paryers will be answered

[whatithink-2009]

It's so nice to see the CHRISTIAN words of my fellow Americans.

[msdwels]

Sclair gets your fact straight seem like they only make up 3.4 %


Get Here are the statistics on welfare recipients:
Traits of families on AFDC (1)

Race
--------------
White 38.8%
Black 37.2
Hispanic 17.8
Asian 2.8
Other 3.4

[agnim]

Isn't it nice to read the post from the many who are no doubt part of the invading thieves from Europe, the bulk of whom took a similar sea route to this land UNINVITED as these Haitians. LOL