U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted this week, east of Boynton Beach, a boat carrying 31 illegal immigrants including 19 Haitian nationals who were returned to Haiti in compliance with international rules.

Jesus Saavedra-Reyes and Sandra Anderson, were arrested during the interception for clandestine traffic. The couple appeared before the court of the District of West Palm Beach under the charge of trafficking of human and have been remanded.

Each illegal paid to the smugglers US$5,000 for a one way Haiti-Florida, risking their lives and no comfort. It is an astronomical sum for Haitians whose monthly wage is often less than $150. How Haitians fleeing poverty could they raise such sum ? The money come from the Diaspora ? From the sale of stolen or illegal goods ? One aspect that the police or human rights organizations seem to elude in each of these unfortunate cases, preferring to focus on the human conditions of these illegal immigrants.

S/ HaitiLibre