Haitians repatriated

Hector’s River, Eastern Portland:

The 10 Haitians, who were picked up Saturday morning along a roadway in Hector’s River, Portland, were sent home less than eight hours after receiving medical treatment.

The group, comprising adult males and females, was reportedly spotted by residents shortly after 6 a.m. walking along a roadway at Hector’s River, which is close to the border of Portland and St Thomas.

The police were alerted and the Haitians were picked up and taken to the Port Antonio hospital for medical treatment.

However, police sources have revealed that, shortly after the group was provided with food, clothing, and personal items, they were sent back to their homeland aboard a Jamaica Defence Force coastguard vessel.

It is the fifth group of Haitians to have fled their war-torn homeland since July 2023 that has landed on Jamaica’s shore in search of a better life after claiming that they are fleeing gang warfare, civil unrest, economic hardships, and starvation.

The first batch of 37 Haitians, which landed in Jamaica in July, currently housed at a facility at Robin’s Bay in St Mary, is awaiting to hear whether their application for asylum will be granted or if they will be sent back some.

– Gareth Davis Sr