THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PROGRAM OF INTERCEPTING AND FORCIBLY RETURNING HAmAN BOAT PEOPLE TO HAITI: POLICY IMPLICATIONS AND PROSPECTS

This article discusses the policy consequences of the United States government program, in operation in various forms since 1981, to intercept at sea and forcibly return Haitian boat people to Haiti. The evolution of the return program is described and analyzed in the context of refugee policy, both internationally and in the United States. Policy implications are analyzed and recommendations are made for a reformulated policy response.