Let the Haitians stay - Portland community wants illegal immigrants to remain in Jamaica

About two years ago when two young Haitian refugees docked their boats at a beach in Portland, residents of one community were sceptical.

Despite their doubts, they opened their doors to the Haitians and showed them acts of kindness. Fast forward to the present and the two stowaways are among the most beloved persons in the district.

"Two little youth live round here almost two years now and dem alright. Yuh can call dem pon any type a work and dat is why the people dem love dem. People never trust dem at first, but after two weeks dem and everybody a friend. Dem a di best man," a resident said.

The Haitians were said to be busy at work on a construction site when the news team arrived. The man told THE STAR that both foreigners currently reside with their Jamaican girlfriends.

"Mi memba one time police come here two times and carry away one, and a people from the district go visit dem. Di police let dem out. We love dem man and the only problem we have is the language barrier and dem take time a catch on, but dem a two nice little youth. A want tell yuh say dem all live with woman too and dem always a work," the man said.

Last year, dozens of Haitians landed by boat on local soil, claiming that they were fleeing persecution, civil unrest, gang warfare and economic hardships in their homeland, where water and food are also scarce. Some of the Haitians even gave reports that persons are being brutally slaughtered and raped by gang members in their country. Last October, following several landings by Haitians, human rights group Stand Up for Jamaica noted that more than 130 Haitians had sought asylum in Jamaica since July 2023. A number of those who landed have been repatriated, but a group of Portland fishermen believe that sending them back home to their embattled country is not the solution.

The fishermen, who were at Manchioneal Beach, said those who were able to slide under the coast guard's radar are usually smooth-tempered and hard-working.

"One ting is that who come here and get fi stay bout di place no give trouble. In reality, the bad man dem nah go come here. Dem a go more stay and fight war. Dem will send dem woman and pickney. I don't think the Government should send dem back home. Nuff a we run go America and we nuh want dem dash we out, so why we do this to dem? All of us a black people and is just water divide us," the man said.

Another fisherman chimed in that he strongly believes that his future wife is from the French-speaking country.

"Mi would want one or two of the woman dem because the Haitian girls dem round and sexy. Mi see one come in on a boat and mi couldn't take mi eye offa har. Mi woulda did take her home eno, but the police take dem away fast. Mi would take good care of them if mi get one or two of them," the fisherman said.