Deportations to Haiti halted

MIAMI, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. immigration authorities say they have temporarily halted deportations to storm-ravaged Haiti.

Four large storms in recent weeks in Haiti killed more than 400 people, left tens of thousands homeless and devastated crops, causing a severe food shortage, said Barbara Gonzalez, spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Miami.

"We are monitoring the situation on the ground," said Gonzalez, adding that deportations could resume at any time.

South Florida is home to one of the largest concentrations of Haitians in the United States, The Palm Beach (Fla.,) Post reported Tuesday.