New York: Nearly 500 immigration and human rights organizations have joined forces, calling upon the U.S. government to suspend deportations of Haitian nationals and enhance migration protections amidst a deepening gang conflict on the Caribbean island.
Led by the Haitian Bridge Alliance, a non-profit based in San Diego, 481 groups representing migration, human rights, religious, and civil rights causes released a letter on Wednesday. The letter urges the U.S. administration to extend temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitians, cease deportations and forced returns, release detained migrants, and broaden parole programs for refugees.
As violence surges in Haiti, nations including the United States, Canada, and France have evacuated their citizens and embassy staff. Additionally, international organizations such as the United Nations, European Union, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund have withdrawn personnel from Haiti.
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Despite criticisms from the United Nations, neighboring countries have intensified border security and deported Haitians fleeing the turmoil back to Haiti. The U.S. and Canada have deployed troops to secure their embassies, reflecting heightened security concerns.
The letter emphasizes that if the United States cannot ensure the safety of its personnel in Haiti, Haitian nationals are unlikely to be protected by the Haitian government. It argues that migration and forced displacement are intricately linked to the lack of reparatory justice for historical injustices like slavery, colonialism, and neo-colonial imperialism.
Amid Haiti’s political deadlock, armed gangs continue to vie for control over parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Efforts to establish a transition council president and interim prime minister have been hindered by factional disputes. The council, tasked with making critical decisions, has faced delays but announced progress in finalizing operational guidelines.
The conflict has led to over 360,000 internally displaced Haitians and thousands of fatalities, exacerbating access challenges to essential services like healthcare, food, and income. While the capital’s airport remains closed, Haiti’s Sunrise Airways recently resumed flights to Miami from the relatively tranquil city of Cap-Haitien in the north.
In a video message on Wednesday, gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier urged for the continuation of hostilities, calling for restrictions on air travel within Haiti to persist. “Planes must not fly in the country. We need to keep marching,” he declared.
