Haitian-American congresswoman introduces CATCH Act to curb illicit gun trade in Caribbean

As Haiti cripples under a wave of gun violence, one Haitian-American Florida congresswoman is among those championing legislation that would help curb illicit arms trafficking from the United States to the Caribbean.

Last week, Haitian-America Florida congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick introduced the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm (CATCH) Act, to curb the flow of illegal firearms that have been fueling violence and instability in the Caribbean region.

It was co-sponsored by Senators Chris Murphy and Tim Kaine, and Congressman Joaquin Castro.

The bill comes as gangs took control of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, last month, in an effort to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henry. 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 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.

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“Weapons trafficking by way of the United States is a major contributor to Haiti’s growing gang crisis and the current instability that plagues the country,” said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick, Co-Chair of the House Haiti Caucus, who was born in the United States to Haitian parents.

“We must ensure the Department of Justice is effectively utilizing the new anti-firearm-trafficking provisions in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Our standing in the region and our national security depends on it.”

According to the Department of Justice, illicit firearms from the United States have enabled violent gangs to control over 80% of Haiti's capital and have caused "a dramatic increase in migration to the United States."

The CATCH Act will require the Coordinator for Caribbean Firearms Prosecutions to report on the number, destination, and method of transportation of firearms, ammunition, and firearms accessories; as well as any coordination efforts with Federal agencies and regional organizations like CARICOM.

Michael Ben’Ary, an experienced DOJ prosecutor, was appointed the first United States' Coordinator for Caribbean Firearms Prosecutions last year.

Jamaica's response to bill

In response to the bill, Jamaica's National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang said he is encouraged that U.S. legislators are turning their attention to the impact of guns from their country on the lives of Caribbean people.

"It seems they are trying to hold the traders and manufacturers more accountable, as to where their guns go, which may reduce the number of firearms to come out ... it is good to see legislators taking an interest in it and taking steps that could bring about some more accountability, in relation to arms manufactured in the United States, that are coming to the Caribbean and causing serious problems," he said on Radio Jamaica.

Caribbean countries accounted for half of the world’s top ten highest national murder rates, according to the Department of Justice.

Law enforcement officials in the Caribbean have identified Florida as a significant source of illicit firearms, given its close proximity to the region.