Haitian boat people

The first reports of refugees fleeing Haiti by boat to the United States began in 1972.

[2] In the 1980 Mariel boatlift, many Haitian boat people joined the exodus from Cuba to take refuge in the United States.

[1] Before 1981 all Haitian entrants to the United States were detained and if not considered political refugees, were sent back to Haiti.

After 1981 all Haitian refugees intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard were immediately sent back to Haiti.

[4] After political turmoil in Haiti in 1991 around 40,000 boat people attempted to sail to the United States.