Amidst escalating gang violence in Haiti’s capital and looming governmental instability, hundreds of organizations are urging President Joe Biden to bolster immigration protections for Haitians in the United States. They call for an indefinite suspension of deportations to Haiti, recognizing the extreme conditions gripping the island nation.
In a unified effort, close to 500 groups, led by the Haitian Bridge Alliance, penned a letter sent on Tuesday. They are demanding that the latest wave of migrants from Haiti, and presumably subsequent waves too, receive Temporary Protected Status (TPS) — a policy that protects from deportation and offers work permits to people in the U.S. who have come from countries in turmoil.
Presently, over 117,000 Haitians residing in the U.S. without legal status benefit from TPS. However, this protection is set to expire in August 2024, prompting advocates to call for its extension for current beneficiaries and its extension to newly-arrived Haitian migrants.
“Moving forward, the United States must address the root causes of Haiti’s security and humanitarian crisis. The U.S. government should not only let Haitians come together to make their way out of the current crisis but also provide ways for Haitian refugees forced to flee to safely seek protection,” says the letter, which is also addressed to Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
On March 18, another 67 U.S. senators and representatives, including representatives from the Haiti Caucus, urged Secretaries Mayorkas and Blinken to expand protected status for Haitian migrants and halt their repatriation amid ongoing peril in their homeland. Haitian-American Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Frederica Wilson were among those from Florida’s congressional delegation who signed the letter.
What’s happening in Haiti?
Earlier this month, a coalition of gangs in Port-au-Prince made clear their intent to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henry, unleashing a wave of violence across the Haitian capital. Their brazen actions included the killing of police officers, seizing control of police stations, assaulting the international airport and affluent neighborhoods, and orchestrating mass prison breaks, resulting in chaos and instability.
In response to mounting pressure, Prime Minister Henry has agreed to step down once an international coalition finalizes the composition of a transitional government to guide Haiti through this tumultuous period. However, the grip of criminal elements over much of the capital persists, prompting a mass exodus of over 33,000 individuals to safer regions within the country.
“Today, in the absence of a functioning state, armed groups terrorize the population with systematic rape, indiscriminate kidnapping, and mass killing, all with impunity,” said the letter.
Responding to the crisis, Secretary Blinken earlier announced a commitment of $100 million to support the deployment of a multinational force to Haiti, alongside an additional $33 million in humanitarian aid.
Caribbean countries step up
Several Caribbean nations have stepped forward to aid Haiti in its time of need.
Among them, the Bahamas and Barbados are part of a consortium of five countries that officially informed the United Nations of their intention to contribute personnel to an international force aimed at assisting Haitian national police in combatting armed gangs.
Leading the regional efforts, Jamaica convened a high-level meeting with officials from neighboring countries to formulate a comprehensive plan to support Haiti during this crisis.
Furthermore, Jamaica has taken concrete steps to provide direct assistance by offering accommodation to 59 Haitian children along with 13 caregivers.
Arriving on March 21, these children are being housed by Mustard Seed Communities Jamaica, specifically at the newly constructed Ephesus Village at Jacob’s Ladder in Moneague, St. Ann. Initially, this arrangement is set for two years, with funding sourced from various donors associated with HaitiChildren.
