Haitians picked up in Portland repatriated
Published:Sunday | December 31, 2023 | 1:56 PM
The 10 Haitians who were picked up Saturday morning along a roadway in Hectors River, Portland were sent home less than eight hours after receiving medical treatment.
The group was reportedly spotted by residents shortly after 6 a.m. walking along a roadway in the community, 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.
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 Coast Guard vessel.
This is the fifth group of Haitians to have fled their war-torn homeland since July 2023 and have 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, are currently being housed at a facility at Robin's Bay in St Mary and are awaiting to hear whether their asylum application will be granted or they will be sent back home.
- Gareth Davis Snr
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