Dozens of Haitian citizens were sent back to their home country on a deportation flight by the United States, despite a surge in deadly gang violence and widespread instability in Haiti. The flight was conducted by the US Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and repatriated around 50 Haitian nationals. The exact location of the flight’s departure within the US and its landing destination in Haiti were not specified, drawing immediate condemnation from rights advocates.
The deportation flight to Cap-Haitien in northern Haiti, carrying 74 Haitians, was the first of its kind since January and was reported to have left Louisiana in the US with a stopover in Miami. President Joe Biden’s administration faced backlash for sending Haitians back to a dangerous and potentially deadly situation in their home country. Haiti has experienced widespread gang violence, political unrest, and a humanitarian crisis after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise and subsequent attacks on prisons and state institutions by armed groups, causing displacement of hundreds of thousands of Haitians.
Amidst ongoing attacks in Haiti, Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced plans to step down, leading to a fragile political transition. The situation has worsened with continued violence and insecurity in Port-au-Prince and other parts of the country. Rights advocates have warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Haiti, leading to calls for the US to halt deportations to the country. US Congresswoman Cori Bush emphasized the need for the Biden administration to adopt a humane approach to help Haitian immigrants fleeing dire conditions and urged the suspension of deportations, among other measures.
In March, the International Organization for Migration reported that 13,000 migrants were deported to Haiti from neighboring countries, while the US Coast Guard sent 65 Haitian migrants back on March 12. Rights advocates and civil society groups have called on the US government to extend and redesignate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Haiti. TPS provides protection to nationals of countries facing temporary dangerous conditions, allowing them to stay and work in the US without fear of deportation. Haiti’s TPS designation is set to expire in early August, leading to concerns about the safety of Haitian citizens if forced to return to their homeland amidst escalating violence and instability.
US-based migrant rights group Al Otro Lado emphasized the extreme violence and control by gangs in Haiti, with many citizens facing famine and a potential death sentence if deported back to the country. Advocates have urged the US government to reconsider deportations amidst the crisis and extend support through humanitarian and protective measures. The Biden administration continues to face pressure to take a more compassionate and responsible approach towards Haitian immigrants seeking refuge in the US.
