A group of 29 Haitians who recently landed in Jamaica are facing deportation to their homeland after Jamaican authorities charged them with illegal entry.
The group, consisting of 24 men and five women, received fines amounting to $7,000 or an alternative sentence of three days of hard labor each.
They appeared before the Portland Parish Court on Tuesday.
The local law enforcement reports that the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency is currently making preparations for their repatriation to Haiti.
More on Haitian migrants illegally entering Jamaica
- Haitian migrants illegally enter Jamaica’s shores
- Two Haitians charged with illegal entry into Jamaica
The larger group of Haitians at Boston Beach
The 29 individuals were part of a larger group of 37 who reached Boston Beach in Portland at around 1:40 p.m. on July 10.
According to reports, it is believed that they initiated their journey from Jeremie, Haiti, roughly two weeks prior.
Residents allegedly noticed a vessel transporting the group close to the beach, subsequently assisting them to land.
The latest news from Jamaica & The Caribbean
Read more articles about Jamaica from Caribbean National Weekly
