Haitian Migrants Apprehended After Landing on Florida Beach

Early this morning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents assigned to the Miami Sector apprehended 103 Haitian nationals that made landfall near Hallandale Beach in Hollywood, Fla. One migrant died in the voyage, and two were taken to area hospitals as they displayed symptoms of dehydration and exposure to the elements.
 
Wednesday morning, Border Patrol agents responded to a call for assistance from the Hallandale Police Department regarding a migrant boat that went aground close to the shore in the Hallandale Beach area. Migrants swam ashore in the rough surf. Eventually, the boat came ashore and the remainder of the migrants disembarked and were taken into custody by local authorities.

The smuggling vessel, a wooden 40-foot sailboat, was overcrowded with migrants and dangerous, another example of the callous nature of the smugglers and their willingness to go to extremes and endanger the lives of those they smuggle.

The migrants were transported to the Pembroke Pines Border Patrol Station for processing. CBP Office of Field Operations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detention and removal operations are assisting. All of the prospective migrants will be placed in expedited removal proceedings. The smuggling aspect of this event is being investigated.

Source DHS