Rise in Haitian immigrants could signify oncoming wave

Some attribute local growth to aftermath of earthquake, difficulties at ports of entry

By Elizabeth Aguilera
Monday, December 27, 2010 at 10:48 a.m.

A record number of Haitians have arrived on America’s southern doorstep, asking for asylum or temporary parole just as the United States is set to resume deportations to Haiti next month — one year after the catastrophic earthquake in the island country.

About 150 Haitian families are accounted for via local charities or border enforcement. While the number is not huge, the growth compared to previous years is astonishing to immigration experts and local advocates and could signify an oncoming wave.

“Historically we have never seen that many,â€