APRIL 27 REPATRIATION OF 234 HAITIAN MIGRANTS

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000788 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR S/CRS SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA) WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM HA SUBJECT: APRIL 27 REPATRIATION OF 234 HAITIAN MIGRANTS REF: PORT AU PRINCE 688 ¶1. (U) On April 27, the US Coast Guard (USCG) transferred 234 Haitian migrants into the custody of the GoH in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. On April 24 around 7:00 PM, the USCG intercepted a 35-foot sail freighter carrying 111 Haitian migrants southwest of Acklins Island, Bahamas. On April 25 around 12:00 PM, the USCG intercepted another 35-foot sail freighter carrying 123 Haitian migrants west of Great Inagua, Bahamas. The migrants from both boats informed the USCG that they were bound for the U.S. for economic reasons. According to the USCG, both boats left Haiti from Ile de la Tortue, an island off the northwest coast. One migrant revealed to Poloff that the going price for the trip was between 3,000 and 4,000 Haitian Gourdes, or 100 USD if the person paid in dollars. ¶2. (U) Comment. There are mounting indications of an increase of Haitians willing to attempt the voyage by boat to the U.S. In addition to the cited expeditions above, post is aware of three other Haitian migrant expeditions since April ¶11. On April 17, thirty-five persons drowned among the 245 persons on board wo vessels en route to the Bahamas from Ile de l Tortue. On April 27, the USCG confirmed another interdiction of 198 Haitian migrants off Great Ingua, Bahamas. Their repatriation is scheduled fo April 30 in Port-au-Prince. On April 24, the USG repatriated to Cap Haitien 22 of the 27 migrans interdicted west of Lakeworth, Florida. This essel, carrying 26 Haitians and 1 Ecuadorean, let from the Bahamas. ¶3. (U) Comment contined. Since post cannot point to any specific political or economic event inciting Haitian migration, post believes that the landing of Haitian migrants on Hallandale Beach may be influencing Haitians to attempt the voyage. The latest Hallandale related story in the Haitian media is the consular section's granting a humanitarian visa for a parent to attend the funeral of the sole Hallandale fatality. SANDERSON