Flight into Despair: A Profile of Recent Haitian Refugees in South Florida

Based on a random sample survey of recently arrived Haitians, participant observation, and intensive interviewing, this article examines the following areas: a) individual background characteristics of Haitian immigrants; b) their arrival and early resettlement experiences; c) their education, knowledge of English and information about the United States; d) current employment status and occupation; e) income and use of public assistance; f) predictors of employment, occupation, and income; and g) beliefs and orientations. These results are presented after discussion of the methodology of the study and the context of out-migration from Haiti.