Border Patrol intercepts more than 100 Haitian migrants near Florida Keys

MIAMI (TND) — Border Patrol agents were able to intercept more than 100 Haitian migrants off Key West, Florida Wednesday as they tried to enter the U.S.

The 118 migrants were spotted around 4 a.m. by agents with support from federal, state and local law enforcement partners, according to Border Patrol.

After being medically cleared they were transferred to local Border Patrol Stations to be interviewed and processed, Acting Chief Patrol Agent Samuel Briggs II wrote on X.

About 1.4 million Haitians are on the verge of famine as violent gangs take over Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince forcing residents to flee.

The unrest on the streets is bringing about new concerns over a mass migration event in the United States.

In March, Haiti's prime minister, Ariel Henry, said he would resign once a transitional presidential council is created, bowing to international pressure to make way for new leadership in the country overwhelmed by violent gangs.

He was locked out of his own country while traveling abroad, due to surging unrest and violence by criminal gangs who have overrun much of Haiti's capital and closed down its main international airports.

Since Feb. 29, gunmen have burned police stations, closed the main international airports and raided the country’s two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis assigned 250 additional officers and soldiers and over a dozen air and sea craft to the southern coast of Florida to protect the state from a wave of migrants.

The Florida Immigrant Coalition issued a statement Wednesday calling on state and federal officials to provide humane treatment to the Haitian migrants fleeing violence.

"Haitian migrants, including children, endured a perilous seven day journey at sea, arriving off Key West in a sailboat, seeking safety and security, and highlighting the growing violence and humanitarian crisis in Haiti," the coalition said.

According to the group the long-lasting violence has led to increased crimes against women and girls, worsened food insecurity and increased health concerns.

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Editor's note:The Associated Press contributed to this article.