Extreme violence, political instability and famine gripped HaitiThe US continues to bounce back haitian the return of migrants at sea to the gang-controlled country has alarmed Haitian lawyers who have condemned the policy in the United States.
On Thursday, the US Coast Guard intercepted and returned 65 Haitians trying to flee Haiti by boat, the agency said in a statement.
“There is a particular disrespect when it comes to Haitian asylum seekers,” said Guerline Joseph, a human rights activist and co-founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance. “First [U.S.] not action ‘How can we protect the people?’ “How can we deter them and make sure they don’t reach our shores?”
Joseph cited the increased deportations and alleged mistreatment of thousands of Haitian migrants gathered under the Texas Bridge in 2021 as further evidence of the unfair treatment of Haitian asylum seekers by the United States.
Joseph said gangs taking over ports, airports and much of Port-au-Prince created a “scary, traumatic, terrible” situation.
“Once again we have a clear example of US policy responding with violence against Haitians, Haitian refugees and asylum seekers,” Joseph said.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said the maritime bans are in place to protect human life by discouraging Haitians from dangerous sea travel.
“The primary mission of the Coast Guard … is to protect human life at sea,” he said. Captain Willie Carmichael, incident commander for the operation.
The migrants were aboard a boat in distress on Thursday, the Coast Guard said, and a “good Samaritan” alerted the Coast Guard command center on March 7 of their whereabouts and condition.
Since October 1, 2023, the Coast Guard has repatriated 131 Haitians stranded at sea.
Former President Donald Trump has accused President Joe Biden’s border policies of causing a mass exodus of Haitians to the United States.
“Hundreds of thousands of people are flocking to our country Haiti. They are going to Florida. But don’t worry, Crooked Joe Biden has everything under control. MAGA!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.
There is no evidence that thousands of people were able to flee Haiti after gunmen attacked the main international airport on February 29. With gangs controlling the main ports and the largest airport, it has been difficult for most Haitians to leave, Joseph said. .
DHS also reported that the number of undocumented migrants coming directly to the United States from Haiti is low.
“DHS is monitoring the situation in Haiti and coordinating closely with the State Department and international partners. “Currently, the flow of illegal migration from the Caribbean remains low,” the spokesperson said. “US policy is to return stateless persons who have no fear of persecution or torture, or who do not have a legal basis to enter the United States. Those interdicted at sea must be repatriated immediately in accordance with our longstanding policies and procedures.”