Dominican consul general : `` This woman knew what she was trying to do was not legal . '' Laura Silsby , 9 other Americans turned back from border with 33 Haitian children . The U.S. State Department said it would continue its efforts to help the Haitians and that they were welcome in the United States. Haiti and Dominican Republic share the Caribbean island of Hispaniola .
Dominican consul general : `` This woman knew what she was trying to do was not legal . '' Laura Silsby , 9 other Americans turned back from border with 33 Haitian children . The U.S. church group is being held by Haitian authorities . Haiti and Dominican Republic share the Caribbean island of Hispaniola .