30 Haitians who came to Fla. without visas freed

By JENNIFER KAY Associated Press Writer

MIAMI (AP) - More than 30 Haitian earthquake survivors who were detained because they didn't have a visa when they arrived in the U.S. are being freed from an immigration detention in Florida.

The Haitians had been held at a facility in Pompano Beach by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since January.

Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center Cheryl Little said the survivors released Thursday may be eligible for working permits. Her advocacy group represents 30 Haitians who were evacuated after the Jan. 12 earthquake by the U.S. military.

Some of the Haitians told the advocacy center's attorneys that American troops waved them aboard planes without asking for their papers.

The U.S. suspended deportations to Haiti after the earthquake. Little says she doesn't understand why the survivors weren't released sooner.