The United States has resumed deporting Haitian migrants by air after a pause of almost three months, as reported by the New York Times. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that around 50 Haitian citizens were repatriated on Thursday, stating that none of them had a legal basis to remain in the US.
Deportations had been suspended due to escalating violence in Haiti, which also led to the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. However, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas recently warned that Haitians arriving by sea will now be returned.
Furthermore, the Biden Administration is not considering renewing or expanding Temporary Protected Status for Haiti, despite calls from international organizations and human rights groups to avoid deportations given the crisis in the country.
In March, neighboring countries repatriated about 13,000 Haitians, a 46% increase from February, despite the worsening security situation. The International Organization for Migration reports that nearly 100,000 internally displaced people in Haiti are living in dire conditions and in need of basic necessities.
The decision to resume deportations has sparked concerns among many, as Haiti continues to struggle with violence and a humanitarian crisis. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.