One hundred undocumented Haitians, apparently trying to make landfall in the Turks and Caicos, at news time were being processed at the detention centre in Providenciales for repatriation after they were caught by local authorities.
The attempted landfall was foiled on Sunday, September 5 by members of the Marine Branch.
Reports are that at about 7:30 pm, Marine Branch Officers were dispatched after Radar Station officials filed an alert of a vessel found in Turks and Caicos Islands Waters.
The Marine Branch later intercepted the vessel laden with suspected Haitians about 10 miles off the coast of South Dock Port, Providenciales. After processing, it was revealed that the illegal migrants numbering 100, with 80 males and 20 females.
The police reported that they were taken to South Dock for processing by the Immigration Task Force. The Environmental Health team was also on the scene.
On a regular basis, Haitians trying to flee abject poverty in their homeland, often make treacherous journeys on the high seas mainly to the Turks and Caicos, Bahamas and the United States. The rickety vessel in which they travel oftentimes encounter rough seas, resulting in drowning.
In the meantime, the local government spends millions each year to capture, house, feed, and repatriate those who are caught, which it said has been putting a strain on its finances.