News Americas, WASHINGTON, Fri. July 12, 2019: U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents say they are seeing an unusual spike in Haitians trying to enter the country illegally via the southern border. Here are five facts about this group of Haitians you should know:
1: Most of the Haitian led families caught trying to enter illegally had resided in Chile and other South American countries for several years before to trying to enter the U.S.
2: About 800 of the 1,000 apprehensions since June 10th are members of a family unit that includes over 230 minor children who are nationals of a third country such as Brazil and Chile.
3: A majority was arrested between June 22nd and June 23rd. About 80 were arrested on June 22nd while a group over some 122 were nabbed on June 24th.
4: “Our agents are seeing a rise in Haitian nationals entering the country illegally, which presents challenges that we are meeting head on,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz. “We will continue to do everything we can to care for these family units with small children.”
5: Prior to June 10th, Del Rio Sector agents had only arrested only 17 Haitian nationals this fiscal year.
