Haitians aiming for Florida Keys outpace 2021 migration

By DANICA COTO and FREIDA FRISARO

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Haitian migrants are reaching Florida’s shores in repeated suspected human smuggling operations, outpacing last year’s migration waves. Monroe County Sheriff’s officials say 140 Haitian migrants came ashore Monday near Key West. Earlier this month, a wooden boat carrying hundreds of migrants grounded in shallow water off Key Largo, and 163 people swam ashore. In January, the Coast Guard stopped another boat carrying 176 migrants. Haiti is suffering from deepening political instability, skyrocketing inflation, severe fuel shortages and a spike in gang-related violence and kidnappings. Coast Guard crews have rescued 1,193 Haitians so far this fiscal year, which began Oct. 1.