Rights advocates are urging countries in the Americas, including the United States and the Dominican Republic, to stop deporting migrants and asylum seekers to Haiti due to the surge in violence and political instability in the country. The head of the Haitian Bridge Alliance emphasized that there is no safe space for displaced Haitians and called for a complete stop of deportations to Haiti by land, sea, or air. The violence in Haiti has led to more than 360,000 people being forcibly displaced, with neighbouring countries increasing deportations back to Haiti despite the ongoing unrest.
Haitians have been fleeing their country for years due to security issues, exacerbated by the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. The recent spike in violence has prompted the UN and humanitarian groups to call for protection of Haitians who are at risk. Amnesty International and other rights groups have specifically called on the Dominican Republic to end discriminatory deportation policies targeting Haitians, Dominicans of Haitian descent, and Black people in the country. The Dominican government has deported thousands of Haitians, including those in need of international protection, violating its international obligations.
Advocacy groups are also pressuring the Biden administration to extend protections against deportation for Haitian citizens in the US through a program called Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS is granted to nationals of countries facing temporary dangerous conditions, allowing them to remain in the US and work without fear of deportation. However, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas indicated that the US is unlikely to extend TPS for Haiti, leaving Haitians vulnerable to deportation. The US Coast Guard has repatriated Haitian migrants intercepted at sea, further raising concerns about the treatment of Haitian asylum seekers.
With the US presidential election approaching, immigration is expected to be a contentious issue. The Biden administration has indicated it will continue to return Haitian citizens intercepted at sea to avoid triggering mass migration. However, rights groups are calling for a halt to all removal flights and maritime removals to Haiti, arguing that they destabilize the country and undermine the administration’s promises for a fairer and more inclusive immigration system. The decision on TPS for Haiti and the treatment of Haitian asylum seekers intercepted at sea will continue to be closely monitored by rights advocates and the public.
In light of the ongoing unrest and violence in Haiti, it is crucial for countries in the Americas to prioritize the protection and safety of Haitian migrants and asylum seekers. By suspending deportations to Haiti and extending Temporary Protected Status for Haitian nationals in the US, governments can provide a lifeline for those fleeing dangerous conditions. Additionally, ending discriminatory deportation policies, such as those employed by the Dominican Republic, is essential to upholding international obligations and safeguarding the lives and rights of vulnerable populations. Through collaborative efforts and advocacy, countries can work towards a more humane and compassionate approach to addressing the needs of Haitian migrants and asylum seekers.
