Forever Prison
Synopsis
More than 70,000 Haitians fled to sea after a military coup in 1991, leading to their detention at Guantanamo Bay outside U.S. law.
Synopsis
Marie and her father fled Haiti in 1991 after a military coup overthrew President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. They were among over 70,000 Haitians seeking asylum in the United States. Instead, many were detained at Guantanamo Bay, a U.S. naval base in Cuba, where they faced a legal limbo. The documentary traces the history of Guantanamo, revealing how it became a site for holding individuals outside U.S. law, starting with the Haitian exodus and continuing through the post-9/11 era.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See how the Haitian military coup sparked a refugee crisis.
- Find out why U.S. officials rejected most Haitian asylum claims.
- Meet the young girl whose family fled political persecution.
- Discover the legal battles over detainee rights at Guantanamo.
Did You Know
- Over 70,000 Haitians fled to sea after the 1991 military coup.
- The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted hundreds of Haitian boats during the crisis.
- Nearly 1,200 Haitians were detained at the U.S. naval base in Cuba.
- A judge ruled that alien detainees at Guantanamo have constitutional rights.
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
What event led to the Haitian exodus in the 1990s?
The Haitian exodus was triggered by a military coup in September 1991 that overthrew elected president Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
How many Haitians were detained at Guantanamo Bay?
Nearly 1,200 Haitians were detained at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
What was the US government's stance on Haitian asylum claims?
The US government rejected most Haitian asylum claims, describing them as economic rather than political refugees.
What are people saying?
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