10 Haitian refugees who landed in Jamaica in police custody
PORTLAND, Jamaica— A group of Haitian refugees who landed at Back Street in Long Road, Portland on Sunday are now in police custody.
Authorities report that a total of 10 Haitians— five males and five females— were taken into custody, after a man was picked up Tuesday night during a police operation in the parish.
Observer Online understands that the refugees were processed by the health department and the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) before being placed into police custody.
Just last month, another group of Haitian refugees numbering about 30, arrived at Long Bay, Portland. The authorities suspect that some of them were among the group of refugees who landed in Jamaica in September and were sent back.
READ: WATCH: More Haitian refugees land in Jamaica
In July, 37 Haitians landed on Boston Beach in Portland. They have since applied for asylum in Jamaica.
READ: Haitians remain hopeful as asylum process continues
Haiti has been mired for years in intertwining economic, security and political crises, resulting in thousands of citizens fleeing the country.
The assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021 has dramatically worsened the situation, with gangs taking an increasingly strong hold in the impoverished nation of 11 million people.
