Haitian Group Urges Biden Administration to Halt Deportation of Haitians

A Blatant Violation of International and Domestic Laws

A Haitian group has urged the Biden administration to halt the deportation of Haitians, citing a blatant violation of international and domestic laws.

The Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) has strongly condemned the administration for deporting Haitian nationals who are seeking asylum. HBA said that the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been deporting Haitian nationals who are seeking asylum.

The group’s executive director, Guerline Jozef, said that the recent wave of deportations, including vulnerable Haitian families fleeing violence, persecution, and immense violence, demonstrates a disturbing disregard for legal protections guaranteed to asylum seekers under US and international law.

Jozef noted that, in Haiti, more than 700,000 Haitians have been displaced due to gang violence and that more than 4,000 have been murdered. She also mentioned that, for the past several years, the United States Department of State has designated the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country as a “level 4—do not travel destination due to extreme violence.”

HBA urged the United States Congress, in particular, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Progressive Caucus, and the Haiti Caucus, to exercise its oversight authority and hold the administration accountable for its failure to adhere to the Refugee Act of 1980, which codifies the United States’ obligations to protect asylum seekers.

A Call to Action

Jozef emphasized that Haitian asylum seekers, fleeing unimaginable violence, have a lawful right to seek protection. She called on all human rights groups and the public to stand against these violations of human rights and demanded that the United States live up to its promise and legal obligation as a haven for those fleeing persecution and violence.

Last month, Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke joined US lawmakers and immigration advocates in calling on the Biden administration to protect Black immigrant communities during the dull duck session. Trump, who will be sworn in on January 20, has vowed to conduct mass deportation of immigrants, particularly Haitians.

A National Emergency Declared?

HBA has also strongly condemned Trump’s reported plans to declare a national emergency to enact a mass deportation program involving Haitian immigrants. The group said that such a proposal represents an alarming threat to human rights, the rule of law, specifically those seeking asylum and safety.

Conclusion

The Haitian Bridge Alliance’s call to action is a reminder of the urgent need to protect the human rights of Haitian asylum seekers and other migrants. As the Biden administration reviews its policies and procedures, it is crucial that it prioritizes the safety and dignity of these individuals. By doing so, the United States can uphold its international obligations and live up to its promise of being a haven for those fleeing persecution and violence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are Haitian asylum seekers being deported?

A: According to the Haitian Bridge Alliance, Haitian nationals are being deported despite facing violence, persecution, and immense violence in their home country. The group says that this contravenes the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to places where their lives or freedom would be threatened.

Q: What is the Haitian Bridge Alliance?

A: The Haitian Bridge Alliance is a group dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignity of all asylum seekers, particularly those of African descent.

Q: What is the Refugee Act of 1980?

A: The Refugee Act of 1980 codifies the United States’ obligations to protect asylum seekers and sets out the process for determining an individual’s eligibility for asylum.