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Several Haitian refugees arrive in Portland

23 Haitians refugees arrived in Portland on a boat Thursday morning.

They are now being processed at the Port Antonio Marina by police and Health Ministry representatives.

According to the police the Haitians were escorted to shore by personnel from the Marine Police Division after their boat was spotted early Thursday morning.

Just over a year ago the Government struggled to deal with a flood of Haitian refugees who fled to Jamaica amidst political turmoil, associated with efforts to oust former President, Jean Bertrand Aristide.

But by last year all the Haitians who were being cared for by the Jamaican Government were sent back to Haiti.

Some groups including the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party have linked the current malaria outbreak to the arrival of the Haitians.

However, this claim has been dismissed by the Government.

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Haitians to be sent home

Thu Feb 15, 2007

The 23 Haitians who were picked up by the police in Portland Thursday morning will be returned to Haiti as soon as travel arrangements can be made.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Gilbert Scott, says Thursday morning's arrival is being treated as an illegal entry which is a criminal matter.

The Haitians, 19 males and four females, are currently being screened by the health authorities at the rehabilitation center at Folly in Portland.

According to Mr. Scott once the authorities in Haiti are contacted and travel arrangements made, the Haitians will be sent home.

He said the Ministry will also try to ascertain if any of the Haitians have been in Jamaica previously.

The Haitians were spotted off the coast of Portland early Thursday morning and escorted to shore by personnel from the Marine Police Division.

Just over a year ago the Government struggled to deal with a flood of Haitian refugees who fled to Jamaica amidst political turmoil following the ousting of former President, Jean Bertrand Aristide.