Though much attention has been paid to the swell of Haitians who arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border in September, another, less visible spike in migration has been taking place by sea as the nation’s humanitarian and political crisis deepens.
took the lives of at least 2,189 people and damaged or destroyed 137,000 homes. Powerful gangs routinely block ports and hold up trucks in the capital at will, causing paralyzing fuel shortages. Men, women and children are taken hostage by gangs and ask families for ransom. Some are killed if their families do not pay.
his son, mother and partner by selling clothes. In recent months, it had become impossible to travel to Port-au-Prince to buy merchandise to sell or look for work. Armed gangs controlled some of the highways and entry points to the capital, making the six-hour journey a risky gamble.Story continues below advertisement
The captains follow maritime routes that have been used for decades: Sailing north to the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos, or east toward Puerto Rico, stopping points on the journey to the United States and sometimes permanent destinations in and of themselves. Others try to reach Florida directly, a journey that can take about six days if all goes according to plan.
The boat’s rudder broke just a few hours into the journey as they sailed through the Windward Passage, a strait between Cuba and Haiti known for its rough currents, The next morning, Pierre took a rock from the beach in Cuba and put it in his pocket. He wanted to take a souvenir from a land that was “filled with good people,” he said. The migrants then crowded back onto the boat, hoping they’d reach Florida next.Across the region, Haitians are finding it increasingly difficult to migrate legally by foot or plane, making a trip by sea one of the few ways left to leave.
Turks and Caicos, an archipelago that lies 137 miles from Haiti’s northern coast, has also become a popular steppingstone for those looking to reach the United States. In April, authorities “Many of these people don’t have money to eat tomorrow, but out of desperation, they will invest $250 to go on a boat that a few days later will get intercepted,” said Loprete of the International Organization for Migration. “But even if they are often returned the next day, people will still go because they have nothing else to hope for.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Haiti opens consulate in southern Mexico to address migration riseHaiti on Friday opened a consulate in the southern Mexican border city of Tapachula in a bid to help manage migration, Mexico's government said, amid a steep increase in Haitians attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico frontier this year.
Read more »
So your employer is monitoring you. What you should knowThe number of companies using 'bossware' has skyrocketed during the pandemic. Here's how to find out if your company is monitoring you.
Read more »
Poland: Less number of attempts by refugees to cross Belarus borderNumber of refugees trying to force their way into Poland from Belarus fall after an apparent change in tack by Minsk that could help calm the ongoing border crisis
Read more »
20 Under-Eye Creams That Actually WorkUsing an eye cream won’t banish dark circles, but a select few creams really work
Read more »
The 15 Best Alpha Hydroxy Acid Products for Brighter, Clearer SkinMario Badescu's $16 Glycolic Foaming Cleanser helps to correct uneven skintone, brightens and firms ✨
Read more »
The FDA Just Authorized COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots for All AdultsHere's what you should know.
Read more »