Gov. Bush to support stays for Haitians

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, June 18 (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said he is inclined to support temporary stays in his state for Haitian refugees, local news sources reported Friday.

Many Haitian refugees make their home in southern Florida, fleeing the island nation's political and social upheaval.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports Bush -- who spent one day visiting the troubled Caribbean nation -- said he would back a bill restoring textile manufacturing jobs to the island.

Bush said he would probably discuss both issues with his brother, the president, during the weekend.

The governor traveled to Haiti to visit projects with ties to his home state at the invitation of U.S. Ambassador James Foley.

Haiti is in the midst of recovering from its latest political upheaval, which culminated in the Feb. 29 departure of then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide following weeks of pressure from armed rebel groups and members of the international community.

Bush said his visit was "meant to demonstrate that Florida stands with its friends in times of peace and prosperity, as well as in times of distress and uncertainty," the Miami Herald reported.