No Entry: Repatriated Haitian Asylum Seekers
Hopes for political asylum for Haitians fleeing violence in their country have been shattered by a stark U.S. policy which prevents most Haitians from even entering the country to submit asylum applications. In implementing "Operation Able Sentry," the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted and repatriated close to 2.000 Haitians fleeing the country by boat following violence which ousted elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide at the end of February. Over 90% of those intercepted at sea were repatriated summarily to Haiti, without having an opportunity to be interviewed and describe their reasons for leaving Haiti. This clearly violates the obligations of the U.S. under the 1951 Refugee Convention not to repatriate asylum seekers to a country if their lives could be in danger. [
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