The United States House of Representatives’ Haitian Caucus has strongly criticized the Trump administration’s decision to withhold $13 million in funding for the United Nations multinational security mission in Haiti, led by Kenya. This mission has been critical in addressing the rising gang violence in the country, which has severely impacted Haiti’s security situation. The lack of sufficient funding and personnel has made it challenging for the mission to effectively stabilize the country.
The co-chairs of the Haitian Caucus—Yvette Clarke (Brooklyn), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Florida), and Ayanna Pressley (Massachusetts)—have expressed significant concern about the consequences of halting these funds. They argue that this decision could worsen the already dire political, security, and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where the situation has been deteriorating for years.
“We are deeply disappointed that the Trump administration is halting necessary and life-saving assistance to Haiti,” they said, emphasizing the dire need for continued support.
Clarke, who also serves as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, underscored the Biden administration’s commitment to providing $15 million in aid through the UN Trust Fund. However, she pointed out that only $1.7 million of that amount has actually been spent so far, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the pledged support. Along with her co-chairs, Clarke emphasized that suspending further aid at this critical juncture—particularly as Haitian nationals face the looming threat of losing their Temporary Protected Status (TPS)—could have devastating consequences.
The co-chairs stressed that many Haitians who sought refuge in the United States could be forced to return to a country that is currently overwhelmed by gang violence and instability. They reaffirmed the responsibility the U.S. has to uphold its commitment to Haiti’s stability and the safety of its citizens. “We cannot send Haitians who have sought legal refuge in the US back to a country overrun by gangs and violence without assistance and taking every effort to ensure their safety,” they declared.
Hedder Pierre-Joseph, chair of the Haitian Caucus of the Democratic Party of Florida, also voiced her dismay over the decision to freeze the funds, stressing the urgent need for support in Haiti. “I am saddened that the money has been frozen because Haiti needs help,” she stated, highlighting the severe challenges facing the country.
The multinational security mission in Haiti has been essential in combating the ongoing gang violence, working alongside Haiti’s National Police, which is severely under-resourced with only around 4,000 officers to serve a population of over 11 million. Despite these efforts, the mission is now facing a major funding shortfall after the freeze on the $13.3 million of the original $15 million commitment made by the United States.
The freeze came just after 70 Salvadoran soldiers joined over 600 Kenyan officers already stationed in Haiti, and the mission continues to be supported by police and soldiers from other nations, including Jamaica. The United States has been the largest contributor to this mission, and this financial setback could hinder its capacity to address Haiti’s urgent security and humanitarian crisis. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric confirmed the freeze, adding that it further intensifies the strain on the mission’s efforts to stabilize the country.
The freeze on funds comes in the broader context of President Donald Trump’s sweeping freeze on foreign aid, which has left many global programs uncertain. While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested that waivers may be issued for life-saving programs, there is still considerable uncertainty about which aid will be exempt from the freeze and how it will affect critical missions like the one in Haiti.
For Haiti, the reduction in US funding could force the country to look more to local solutions to address its deepening crisis. However, analysts are skeptical about the Haitian government’s capacity to manage the situation effectively on its own. Given the scale of the challenges—ranging from rampant gang violence to political instability and a lack of resources—there are doubts about whether the Haitian government has the infrastructure or the political cohesion to respond adequately without significant international support.
