2009 Press Releases
U.S. Coast Guard Searches for 85 Missing Haitians, Warns Against Dangers of Illegal Migration
July 28, 2009
In cooperation with the Turks and Caicos Island Police, the U.S. Coast Guard has been searching for 85 Haitian citizens who were reported missing on July 27. According to survivors, the sloop left Haiti with approximately 160 people and picked up another 40 before the vessel struck a reef. The Coast Guard has confirmed 9 dead. The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant, two helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft remain in the area to continue the search and rescue mission.
The U.S. Embassy takes this opportunity to remind all intending migrants that an illegal journey can be extremely dangerous. Boats carry far too many people, too few supplies and are especially unstable during bad weather. In the cases where rescuers find the intending migrants in time, these boats sink almost immediately after the passengers were rescued.
The persons who organize these voyages are criminals, and crews often desert their passengers. U.S. Embassy, U.S. Coast Guard, Bahamian and Turks and Caicos Island personnel have assisted numerous victims who were abandoned at sea, robbed of their life savings, and beaten or sexually assaulted by migrant traffickers or by other passengers.
The U.S. Coast Guard, in cooperation with Turks and Caicos authorities, is making every possible effort to preserve life and to return illegal migrants safely to their home country. The U.S. Government urges anyone who is considering illegal migration to please stay safe, by staying home.
The U.S. Coast Guard, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Police will continue to intercept and return intending illegal migrants to Haiti, in accordance with U.S. and Haitian law. The U.S. Coast Guard has returned over 1,600 illegal migrants to Haiti since October, 2008.