This week more than 200 Haitians jumped ship off the coast of Miami, running on shore and through downtown traffic. INS officials detained 220 people, but believe others might still be at large. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, and only four people were treated for minor injuries and dehydration.  According to the refugees, they had been at sea for eight days, and ran out of provisions a day before their ship ran aground. 

Six men, all Haitian nationals, were arrested and charged with smuggling. Authorities say that they had been planning this voyage for nearly a year. If convicted, they face up to ten years in prison.

The treatment of Haitian refugees has become a potent political issue in Florida. Last December, about 150 Haitian refugees were detained upon entry and not given the opportunity to seek their release. This move, which was a change in INS policy designed to discourage migration from Haiti, was the subject of fierce criticism by advocates and politicians. Many are now urging Gov. Jeb Bush, who is involved in a close campaign for reelection, to pressure his brother, President Bush, to change the policy.  At a campaign stop, Gov. Bush said he received assurances from the White House that the refugees would be treated fairly. 

Many contrast the treatment of Haitian refugees with that of Cubans. Cubans who make it to US soil are automatically granted permanent residence after one year. Haitians must apply for asylum, which is denied in most cases on the ground that the applicant is only an economic refugee and does not qualify for political asylum. Advocates argue that continuing to assume that all Cubans are fleeing political repression is no longer valid, and that the standard remains because of the political power of Cuban-American groups.