Despite an appeal from lobby group Freedom Imaginaries for the latest group of Haitians who entered the island illegally not to be expelled, the government made arrangements for them to be repatriated last night.

The group of at least 40 Haitians landed at a beach in the Ross Craig area of Portland on Sunday.

Among them were several men, women – including one said to be about 7 months pregnant and children including a toddler. 

Founder of Freedom Imaginaries and Attorney Malene Alleyne had called on the government to provide proper accommodation for them.

Noting that with over 5000 people killed in Haiti last year due to gang violence and over one million people forcibly displaced, Ms. Alleyne said the crisis is landing hardest on women and children, who face systematic practices of sexual violence.

She appealed for the migrants to be granted access to a fair and effective asylum procedure. 

However, the National Security Ministry told IRIE FM News that the group was slated to leave the island last night.