Haitians to return despite coup attempt

MIAMI, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- As reports of more violence and unrest in Haiti reached Miami Monday, the United States rushed to send more than 160 Haitians back to the nation they were so desperate to escape.

The Haitians were among 187 Haitians intercepted at sea Dec. 3. Nicole Kulich of the Immigration and Naturalization Service said two of them are missing and presumed drown, 20 swam ashore and 165 were rescued from their dangerous, rickety boat by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Despite Monday's unsuccessful coup attempt at the president's mansion in Port 'au Prince, the INS said they are expediting deportation proceedings for 167 of the Haitians. They were brought ashore for safety reasons and detained in Miami's Krome Avenue Detention Center.

The other 18 have been released because of the nation's wet-foot, dry-foot policy of allowing immigrants from certain countries who make it ashore to remain in the United States.

"They will be processed through a provision of law called expedited removal," said Dan Kane, another INS spokesman in Washington. "Interdiction and repatriation of undocumented migrants at sea has been, and will continue to be the policy of this government."

Haitian activists said the unsuccessful coup in Haiti should reinforce the contention that they are political refugees rather than economic refugees, but the INS said it would go ahead with its removal plans.

As many as seven people were killed in a six-hour gun battle in the attempted coup in Haiti. President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was not at the palace when the small group of well-armed men who stormed into the building. They were either killed or taken into custody by troops loyal to Aristide. The gunmen have not been identified but they are believed to be former military.

There has been frequent unrest since the elections last year. Aristide's victory has not been contested, but there have been accusations of fraud. Some minor elections will be held again because of irregularities.