Seven Cubans who entered the DR through Haiti are seeking political asylum. They say they will be killed if they return to Cuba. The Department of Migration is investigating the case, but says the final say is up to President Mejia. The Cubans arrived after their boat went adrift near Bahamas. They made it to Haiti and then crossed the border into the DR. Since the Fernandez government renewed diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1997, the Dominican government has deported all Cubans who enter this country illegally. Meanwhile, 50 Haitians have also requested political asylum. Their case is being studied by the National Commission for Refugees. Some months ago a group of Haitian former policemen sought asylum, and the situation was resolved when Panama agreed to admit them. But the Director of Migration says the case of the 50 Haitians is very delicate because if they are granted asylum, there could be an avalanche of Haitian migrants alleging political persecution.
