Posted on 01/19/2010 9:08:38 AM PST by Candor7
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The American Red Cross says a plan to bring 45,000 evacuees from Haiti to Florida, and 4,000 of those to Orange County, is not set in stone. The Red Cross clarified Friday who could be involved in a plan to move people out of Haiti.
The Red Cross is preparing for two things: the repatriation of Americans living in Haiti and the possibility of a mass migration of Haitian nationals.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIDEO REPORT: Haitian Refugees Could Come To Orlando HELP OUT: Local Organizations | National Organizations SPECIAL SECTION: Quake Recovery Updates, Donation Info --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The American Red Cross has seen massive migration into the U.S. from areas like Kosovo and Bosnia in the past, but no determination has been made yet in the case of Haiti. But the repatriation of Americans has already begun. Eyewitness News was told that it includes people like missionaries who may have already been working in Haiti before the quake.
The U.S. citizens are being brought into South Florida through Miami and Homestead, where their identities can be verified. Thursday night, five flights arrived with 190 Americans on board.
“I think that we will continue see U.S. citizens coming in over the weekend and through the beginning of next week. And that would be our first focus and first wave and, I think, as the conditions are assessed in Haiti and some decisions are made both with our federal government and the Haitian government about what’s best for their citizens,” Director of Emergency Services Becky Sebren said.
Americans continued to arrive in South Florida Friday afternoon and, as the United States plans its strategy to help Haiti, the state closest to the island nation is taking center stage with a plan to bring tens of thousands of refugees to Florida and approximately 4,000 to Orlando.
Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty says he has some concerns with the possible plan. If Haitians are brought to Central Florida, the county, city and possibly other area communities will have to scramble to figure out where to put the earthquake victims, and it will be a tough challenge.
"It would occur to me that there is a legal process associated with that and it would probably have to come through the State Department in terms of citizenship and visas, work visas [and] that sort of thing," Mayor Crotty said.
What that influx of people brings with it is a very large service demand, particularly in the area of social services in what is already a tough economy.
"We're very stressed financially right now and this is going to add to that stress," Mayor Crotty said. "So this is a balance we're going to have to work on strengthening."
Governor Charlie Crist told Eyewitness News Friday that, while he's talked to the Secretary of Homeland Security about bringing Haitians to Florida, nothing has been decided at this point.
Governor Crist was at a jobs summit in Orlando Friday morning. Crist wouldn't confirm whether Haitian refugees would be coming to Central Florida; he did say that Florida has pledged to do everything it can to help those in need after the earthquake.
"We want to be in touch with the State Department, making sure we're doing what is necessary for these people to get the help they need and deserve," Crist said.
Governor Crist said, because of mild hurricane seasons for the past several years, there are a lot of relief supplies available in Florida. He said some of those supplies will be used to help Haitians in need.
Additionally, the State of Florida has opened a new emergency information hotline about the Haiti quake. It's meant to give Floridians a link to informational resources on the international response and recovery efforts.
The hotline number is 1-800-342-3557. You can call for information between the hours of 10:00am until 6:00pm
P.S.
“ediots.” Yes that too.
They are first cousins to “idiots.”
By the way, I am talking from experience, but I am not going into it.
Let’s blue up the red areas of the voting map by dragging in Latin American problems. :)
This is to make Florida Obamas in 2012, a swing state.
IMHO Obama will try to have as many as a million Haitians evacuated to Forida.
I have nothing against the Haitian people. BUT this is demographic warfare against the people of Florida and the United States. It is a form of tyranny which MUST stop.
It actually means civil war.
Thanks for your link.
It was clear during the campaign that O, Axelrod, the ballerina and their crew intend to use the three branches of government to “rebuild” America.
Haiti is a small (for their purposes) crisis/opportunity along the way that will give the Open Borders crowd a thrill.
A caller to the Boortz radio program this morning who identified himself as a Haitian proposed what made immediate sense to many on day one. Organize and police tent cities to house and assist refuges in an orderly manner with relief supplies, medical assets, etc.
All Haitians would remain on the island - except in obvious special instances. Rebuilding their homes and the damaged public areas is a major and immediate job source; one that could also provide ownership and an enormous sense of pride.
I propose that we give them all Disney FastPass Tickets to all of the rides.
Loosen a few bolts? Look though, all lightness aside,this is tyranny, a form of demographic conquest disguised under a false compassion.
I have nothing against the Haitian people,but Obama is using them, and waging demographic warfare on America instead of protectig the people.
This will lead to civil warfare.
This is all we need.
I got enough nasty, unfriendly Haitians living around me already.
Scratch Florida off my vacation list.
Maybe they’ll bring them to MA so they can fill out absentee ballots and vote for Coakley?
Let them live in Coral Springs.
Fortunately, you are NOT able to vote here if you don’t show photo ID, and it is enforced strictly!!!
Soory man, We already have way more than we can Handle.
Thanks anyways.
It will not help him, we still have to show photo ID to vote!!!
I agree that all Haitians should remain on island. But hat is highly inlikely.Obama is creatg a crisis on Haiti, one that can onlly be solved through ............( guess)..............................
EVACUATION ( they wont be called refugees for politial correctness easons, instead “evacuees”)
Ond INS is ready to stamp 200,000 at the beck and call of SEIU, who will be getting them jobs.
Demographic warfare. We should be fighting back.
Send them to Hawaii, Alaska, Vermont, Gitmo. Not Florida. Crist is an idiot. Keep them in Haiti.
Why are americans donating millions upon millions for them to bring them here...
I have been saying all along that Haiti is all about brining Haitians to FL. They told Texas relief people not to come?? Pictures of the airport and surrounding show no damage.
Some idiots here have called me heartless, stupid, racist. The liberal media is playing us on this. 1 million Haitians will mean Obama carries FL in 2012.
The assumption is that the money will be going to Haiti, not that the money will be used to bring Haitians here.
Read my lips," Demographic Warfare."
Tyranny.
bttt
“...Plan To Bring Haitians To Central Fla. Not Set In Stone..”
Yes, they may be brought to North Florida instead.
LOL. What about Key West, Bawney Fwanks would love it?
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