The Assassination of President Jovenel Moise Could Hurl Haiti Further into An Abyss of Violence

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 8, 2021 – Today, the UndocuBlack Network recognizes the potential escalation of the current violence and political instability in Haiti after the assassination of Jovenel Moise. Due to the increased instability anticipated after the assassination—the network of current and formerly undocumented immigrants —urges the Biden Administration to immediately halt the detention, deportation, or expulsion of all Haitian nationals to imminently deadly conditions. The UndocuBlack Network calls on the Biden Administration to halt removal proceedings against Haitians and grant the entry of Haitians seeking protection at the U.S. border.

“We come to President Biden, Secretary Mayorkas, Ambassador. Rice and Advisor Sullivan in great fear for the people of Haiti after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, '' said Haddy Gassama, UndocuBlack’s Director of Policy and Advocacy. “For months members of the Haitian community and advocates highlighted the rapidly worsening conditions of violence in the country. The administration itself has acknowledged the gravity of the social and security concerns in Haiti when the redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was granted to Haiti in May.”

“In light of these conditions, we support the letter that urges the Biden administration to halt expedited removal or reinstatement of removal immediately and stop all deportations to Haiti among other measures,” Gassama continued. “As recently as July 6, a deportation flight took off from Alexandria, VA to Port Au-Prince carrying Haitian nationals. Rather than taking the historically anti-Black hardline stance on immigration from Haiti and other regions coping with violence, policymakers must prioritize protecting rather than re-traumatizing asylum seekers from Haiti.”

“As policymakers, international aid organizations and the administration seek ways to support Haiti, we urge them to work closely and consider the voices of local Haitian human rights advocacy groups such as Haitian Bridge Alliance, who work closely and directly with the impacted Haitian communities in the U.S. Now is not the time to stay on the course of xenophobic immigration enforcement polices like Title 42, instead it is the time to listen with compassion and act to protect rather than harm.”