More Haitians Seek U.S. Refuge
The number of Haitians trying to enter the country illegally has almost doubled this year despite the popular rebellion that overthrew President Jean-Claude (Baby Doc) Duvalier, authorities said today.
Coast Guard cutters have stopped 3,011 Haitians from reaching U.S. soil since Duvalier fled into exile Feb. 7, almost double the number interdicted during the first six months of last year. The increase suggests that most of the Haitians are economic rather than political refugees, according to Lt. Ron Faulky, who manages the government’s $24-million Haitian Migration Interdiction Operation from Miami.
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