PORTLAND, Jamaica : Haitian Migrants Detained — The number of Haitian migrants detained in Portland on Monday has risen to 27 after police intercepted an additional group on the grounds of the College of Agriculture Science and Education (CASE) in Passley Gardens.
The latest group, consisting of 11 Haitian men, was picked up late Monday afternoon after police acted on intelligence reports. They are believed to be part of a larger group that arrived by boat off the coast of Snow Hill and Passley Gardens shortly after midnight.
Earlier in the day, police detained 16 Haitians — including 10 adult males, four adult females, and two children — on a beach in the Snow Hill-Passley Gardens area. The migrants were transported to the Port Antonio Police Station, where they underwent medical examinations and immigration screening.
Authorities say the total number of Haitians detained between Monday morning and Monday afternoon now stands at 27.
According to a police source, one of the migrants stated that they were fleeing severe hardships in Haiti, including political instability, gang violence, persecution, hunger, and deteriorating living conditions.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing as immigration and law enforcement officials continue processing the group
