United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Thursday that the US government will deport a Haitian national accused of engaging in “a campaign of violence and gang support,” citing threats to American foreign policy objectives and national security.
The statement did not name the individual.
“I am pleased to announce the latest US actions against an individual whose presence and activities in our country has potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States,” Rubio said. “The Department of State has determined that a Haitian national who engaged in a campaign of violence and gang support should no longer remain in the United States.”
Rubio explained that, under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, an individual can be removed if the Secretary of State determines that their presence could have serious foreign policy consequences. “Based on my determination as Secretary of State, the Department of Homeland Security will initiate removal charges against this individual,” he stated. “And I determined in this case, it does. The era of impunity in Haiti is over. This and other actions taken against those destabilising Haiti demonstrate the Trump administration’s firm commitment to protecting the American people, advancing our national security interests and promoting regional security.”
Earlier this week, US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas “Tommy” Pigott announced separate sanctions against two former Haitian lawmakers, Arnel Belizaire, a former member of the Haitian Chamber of Deputies, and Antonio Cheramy, a former Haitian Senator. Both were publicly designated for their alleged involvement in significant corruption during their time in office, a move that renders them and their immediate family members generally ineligible for entry into the United States.
“Belizaire and Cheramy abused their positions by interfering with public processes of the Haitian government. These corrupt and destructive acts had serious effects on US national interests by further destabilising Haiti’s institutions and processes,” Pigott said. He added that the designations “reaffirm the United States’ commitment to ensuring accountability for individuals who contribute to the destabilisation of Haiti.”
 Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Thursday that the US government will deport a Haitian national.){kind=link}