In just two days, U.S. authorities counted 16 separate landings in Florida of boats carrying illegal Haitian migrants totalling in the hundreds.
The incident involving the largest group came on Saturday when a sailboat overloaded with more than 300 illegals ran aground off the coast of Key Largo. One hundred thirteen of the passengers leapt into the water and made it to shore. Those were turned over to the Border Patrol for “processing.” The remainder, approximately 218, remained on board and were transferred to Coast Guard vessels. Some of the latter attempted to escape during the transfer and had to be rescued. Two who were suffering from dehydration were transferred to a local hospital.
As to the disposition of the remainder, the Miami Herald describes that rather tentatively: “Most of the people will likely be sent back to Haiti.” The American public will probably never know what is actually done with them.
On Friday, the previous day, a “rustic vessel” carrying 15 illegals capsized off the coast of Sugarloaf Key, killing two with five missing. The fate of the eight who were rescued is likewise uncertain.
In each case like these, officials of the Coast Guard, Border Patrol, DHS, and other law enforcement agencies are all too emphatic about their exaggerated concern for the well-being of these criminals. For example, a video posted by the Border Patrol in reference to the Friday incident stressed that the agents are working to keep the migrants “safe, clean, fed and healthy.” All that is well and good, but these people are committing a crime. A little less attention to their comfort and a little more to enforcing the law would be welcome.
For more, see the Miami Herald.