A group of 118 Haitian migrants arrived in Key West early Wednesday morning, as confirmed by U.S. Border Patrol officials.
The migrants were transported to the shores on a sailboat, captured in a photograph shared by the U.S. Border Patrol Acting Chief Patrol Agent Samuel Briggs II on the social media platform X.
On-site response and assessment
Upon their arrival around 4 a.m., Border Patrol agents, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, swiftly responded to the situation.
Images from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office depicted the group seated along the roadside, awaiting assistance.
First responders at the scene conducted evaluations of the migrants, though details about their conditions remained undisclosed at the time.
Government reaction and security concerns
The incident follows a statement from Governor Ron DeSantis in March, where he announced an increase in law enforcement presence across the Florida Keys.
This move was in anticipation of a potential rise in illegal migrations from Haiti, spurred by ongoing political and social turmoil within the country.
U.S. Representative Carlos Gimenez highlighted the dire situation in Haiti, which includes political unrest and escalating violence, as key factors contributing to the likelihood of a mass migration surge affecting South Florida.
He criticized the current administration for its passive stance following the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, pointing to the degradation of security in Haiti and the potential threats to the safety of communities in the Florida Keys.
Gimenez called for a comprehensive strategy to address the unrest in Haiti and to safeguard South Florida families from the repercussions of these crises.
