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Group of 42 Haitian migrants taken into custody after coming ashore in Key Biscayne

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – Authorities are investigating after taking over 40 Haitian migrants into custody in Miami-Dade County.

Officials received a call around 3 p.m. Tuesday regarding possible migrants who had illegally come ashore in Key Biscayne, in the area of Crandon Park.

U.S. Border Patrol and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were among the responding agencies.

Authorities speak with detainees after receiving a call about migrants illegally coming ashore in Key Biscayne. (WPLG)

Local 10 News spotted three of the men that officers had tracked down and detained on the median of Crandon Boulevard.

Witnesses pointed agents in the direction of two other men running away inside the golf course at Crandon Park.

Chief Patrol Agent Thomas G. Martin with the U.S. Border Patrol posted on Twitter that a total of 42 people were taken into custody.

Among the migrants were men, women and children.

Alexandra Audate is an immigration attorney. She is also Haitian American.

“I am heartbroken but not surprised,” she said. “Coming to the United States by boat is always dangerous and it’s so sad, but survival is really, really key here, and people are going through a lot.”

Audate said the migrants’ arrival is not surprising in light of Haiti’s earthquake crisis.

She hopes they get due process instead of being immediately sent back.

“My hope is that all 42 of them will be given a parole and be released to their relatives, their friends, their loves ones, and that they have the opportunity to be heard in court, in a non-detained setting,” Audate said.

Border Patrol said for now, all the migrants would be detained as the investigation into their arrival continued.


About the Author
Christian De La Rosa headshot

Christian De La Rosa joined Local 10 News in April 2017 after spending time as a reporter and anchor in Atlanta, San Diego, Orlando and Panama City Beach.

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