More than 4,500 Haitians have landed in Florida since earthquake
by Michael C. Bender | January 19th, 2010
A group of Haitian orphans, whose orphanage was destroyed by last week's massive earthquake, stand bundled together Tuesdayas they wait to be loaded onto to a bus after arriving in Pittsburgh. The orphans initially landed in Sanford, Fla. on Monday. (AP)
Since the earthquake seven days ago, Florida has been the destination for more than 4,500 Haitians in the process of repatriation, state emergency operation officials said today.
State officials said about 45,000 American citizens are still in Haiti. But officials could not say how many were from Florida or how many intended to return to the United States.
“The state is focused on returning U.S. citizens to their families and supporting our federal partners,” Gov. Charlie Crist said.
After arriving in Florida, many Haitians will continue on to other parts of the country. For example, 53 orphans landed in Sanford on Monday, but have since been relocated to Pennsylvania.
Florida Children & Families Department Secretary George Sheldon said children are being given teddy bears, among other services, when they land in the state.
“These folks are coming to our country tremendously traumatized,” Sheldon said.
The state does not expect an influx of Haitian immigrants. “It’s absolutely not happening,” Florida Emergency Management Division Director David Halstead said.
Halstead said the state’s “Operation Vigilant Sentry,” a Coast Guard-run program to prevent illegal immigration from the Caribbean, has been reactivated.
State Surgeon General Ana Viamonte Ros warned that Floridians who experienced emotional or physical sickness after seeing images from Haiti should immediately consult their doctor.
Tags: Haiti
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January 19th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Wouldn’t it be cheaper to deliver the teddy bears over there, instead of bringing the people of Haiti over here to get them? Oh yeah, AND OTHER SERVICES. Oh, our bleeding hearts. Hate to say this, but where is the help coming from to help OUR OWN U.S. Citizens in their time of need, NOW!
January 19th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Have to agree! It’s a photo op for Osama Obama.
January 19th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
and how many Americans went to Haiti after Katrina?
January 19th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Thank God for those wonderful people that are helping these people. I don’t understand how some people can be sold cold. Our worst day in the USA would be the best of people in Haiti.
January 19th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Kathy must be a democrat. So when will you be going there on your own money to help out? EXACTLY. WE got our own problems….this is what the UN is for!
January 19th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Senator Bill Nelson wants to bring MORE Haitians to Florida!
Time for Bill to consider retiring.
Does he not know that Florida is struggling? That unemployment is increasing? That unemployment taxes for employers is INCREASING. That, in itself, will cause MORE people to be let go from their jobs. A vicious cycle.
Nelson needs to go. He supports the healthcare bill which REDUCES Medicare benefits.
Times up, Bill. Let what happened to Dodd in Ct, what is going to happen to Coakley in MA, what is going to happen to Reid in Nevada…happen to Nelson.
Bill, you’re out of touch with Floridians. Encouraging more immigration is not going to help us.
Democrats are not in touch with the public. They are trying to convince the public that their way is the right way, instead of listening to the public.
WAKE UP!
Who’s going to pay the bills, Bill?
January 19th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
We currently have 3.5 million homeless Americans. Over 1 million of them are minors. Where is the aid for them?
It’s amazing the liberals will do nothing for Americans in need, but they’ll trip over each other to help foreigners.
January 19th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
It’s amazing that this situation is according to some morons here a democrat vs republican issue.
This is about being humans and helping those who needed the most. Mostly children. They are not at fault for living in the poorest country in the America’s.
US citizens have so much more than Haitians that is immoral to speak and think the way some of you do. It’s selfish, racist and plain disgusting.
What a bunch of animals. Only wild animals act the way you do. Even with all the problems Americans have today we have way more than any Haitian.
Get a life!!! Be part of the solution or shut up…
January 20th, 2010 at 10:55 am
[...] More than 4500 Haitians hit landed in Florida since seism … [...]
January 20th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
I really don’t think they should bring them to Florida. I am all for helping them by any means that we can, but they are not even bring the sick people they are bringing healthy non USA citizens. They are not going to leave after they get here and it is just going to cause more crime and more people on welfare that should even be getting it. We should help them but we shouldn’t bring them to the USA OR FLORIDA.
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Both Kathy and Maria is right. People are being so evil and nasty instead of lending a helping hand to those who r in most need. The people in the US r struggling but people in foreign countries are struggling more. This situation could happen to any and im so glad that people who have hearts are reaching out and doing all they can to assist. For those of you that only have negative things to say, i hope this never happens to you because i would hate to see some stuck ups like yourselves crying out for help. Thank You to those who reach out and God Bless