Over 100 Haiti Migrants Found in Sailboat Off the Florida Keys, Trying to Escape Violence

As the humanitarian crisis in Haiti continues to escalate, the US Border Patrol has discovered a sailboat filled with over 100 migrants just off the coast in Florida. The US Coast Guard confirmed the Border Patrol report that they tried to enter the United States via sailboat.

A total of 118 migrants were found aboard the sailboat, which was found by CBP officials in Florida territorial waters. They were soon given medical examinations, interviewed, and processed.

"I can confirm there was a recent migrant landing in the vicinity of the Key West Nature Preserve," Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg told NBC News.

The discovery comes as more and more desperate Haiti citizens flee the country as violent criminal gangs have taken over the streets, with murder, kidnapping, and violence being rampant. A majority of the capital remains under the control of these gangs as Kenyan forces arrived in the country to reinforce the beleaguered local authorities.

"The political unrest and rampant violence in Haiti have created the conditions for another mass migration surge that is directly impacting South Florida," warned Florida Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez after the sailboat was discovered. "The security of our community is at risk of another mass migration event from Haiti due to the rampant gang violence and the mass release of thousands of violent criminals from the country's jails."

The administration of Governor Ron DeSantis is infamous for its hard-right anti-immigrant policies. This led the Florida Immigrant Coalition to call on state and federal officials to provide humane treatment and support to the migrants.

"Haitian migrants, including children, endured a perilous seven-day journey at sea, arriving off Key West in a sailboat, seeking safety and security, and highlighting the growing violence and humanitarian crisis in Haiti," said the coalition in a statement.

Migrants From Cuba Arrive More Than Migrants from Haiti in Florida

Samuel Briggs II, the acting Chief Patrol Agent of the agency in Miami, soon released a statement on social media, saying that once ashore, paramedics began evaluating the Haitian migrants and transported them to a local clinic where no life-threatening injuries were found.

As the Associated Press noted, these migrant boats coming from Haiti are rare, though it is a sign of the dire condition happening in the Caribbean nation right now. Because of its proximity to Florida, migrant boats from Cuba are much more common.

Some Haiti Migrants Now Opt to Stay in Mexico Instead of the US

As thousands of Haitians flee, many try to go to the US through the US-Mexico border, arriving in South America before making a long trek through the dangerous Darien Gap and cartel-controlled areas. However, many Haitians have now decided to make Mexico their home instead.

"I wanted to go to the United States, but I don't think there's another country that offers the opportunity that Mexico does right now," 34-year-old Evens Luxama told VOA News. "In Mexico, they accept you, not only Haitians but all foreigners. They do everything to get you regularized, so that you have your papers, and with your papers, you can bring your family to live with you."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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