Human Rights Watch has recently issued a warning that the United States is placing Haitians in danger by deporting them back to a country plagued by increasing gang violence and a profound humanitarian crisis. Since the cessation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in late July, over 450 individuals have been returned, facing dire conditions with minimal support upon arrival. More information can be found here.
During a visit to Cap-Haïtien in late August, HRW researchers noted that the city’s population has surged, exacerbated by the nationwide increase in criminal activities and food shortages. The U.S. deportation policy has intensified, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) increasing the frequency of flights from about once a month to weekly occurrences, leading to the removal of 474 individuals. These flights have been diverted to Cap-Haïtien due to a Federal Aviation Administration restriction on flying near Port-au-Prince, which is influenced by the prevalent gang activity.
Nathalye Cortino, a senior researcher with HRW, has called upon the U.S. government to halt these deportations. She emphasized that many deportees are being sent back to a nation incapable of safeguarding them from violence and providing essential sustenance. This situation follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Mullin v. Doe, which confirmed the cessation of TPS for Haitians, a status initiated after the 2010 earthquake and repeatedly extended since then.
Concerns also arise from reports by Haiti’s National Office for Migration indicating that numerous deportees had longstanding ties to the U.S. and were separated from American family members. Others had pending asylum claims, which adds a layer of complexity and urgency to the plea for halting these deportations.
HRW argues that the principle of non-refoulement under international law should prevent the U.S. from returning people to danger. This aligns with a recent statement by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights urging protective measures for vulnerable Haitians. While defending the policy on CNN, White House border official Tom Homan admitted to a lack of detailed insight into Haiti’s current situation but maintained that the administration was adhering to legal statutes.
In response to these developments, HRW has made several recommendations, including the immediate cessation of deportations and assurance of due process and legal representation in removal proceedings. They also urge the U.S. Senate to pass legislation extending TPS for Haitians to 2029. On a local level, the call includes urging the Haitian government to develop a national reception and reintegration strategy supported by international donors.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by earlier warnings from HRW about the implications of TPS termination, including the risk of family separation and return to an environment deemed hazardous by the U.S. State Department. The current legislative response remains static, with no congressional movement on extending TPS as of the latest reports.