54 Haitians make it past US sea patrol

October 14, 1981

Florida Gov. Bob Graham charged that the landing of more Haitian refugees shows the inadequacy of President Reagan's efforts to stem the flow of illegal immigrants.

Governor Graham said 54 Haitians who landed on Hallandale Beach from a 38 -foot sailboat Monday will have to be added to the thousands of Haitians the state is already supporting.

A US Coast Guard cutter failed to sight the Haitian-carrying vessel in the Windward Passage Monday. The patrol of the 60-mile-wide sea passage began Saturday to enforce President Reagan's order to halt and turn back all vessels carrying ellegal immigrants from Haiti.