Growing concerns are mounting over the potential for another surge of illegal immigration in the United States. This apprehension arises as refugees from Haiti seek to escape the tumultuous aftermath of their president’s resignation, coupled with a rampant deterioration of law and order within the Caribbean nation.
Ariel Henry has declared his intention to step down as the president of Haiti, stating that he will do so once a transitional council is ready to assume power. His decision comes in light of the escalating gang violence that has made it impossible for him to return to the country from his recent trip to Kenya. The Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, is reportedly under the control of armed gangs, who are said to have a grip on about 80 percent of the city. In response to the situation, the United States has evacuated some of its embassy staff and is advising its citizens to leave as well.
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, Republican Matt Gaetz asked Department of Defense official Rebecca Zimmerman about the potential of a mass migration into the U.S. due to the crisis in Haiti. In response, Zimmerman acknowledged the possibility, stating that the challenging circumstances in Haiti may indeed compel more individuals to migrate.
Thomas Gift, the director of the Centre on U.S. Politics at University College London, highlights the potential magnitude of a new migration crisis and its impact on the Biden administration.
According to Gift, anything that brings attention to the immigration crisis is currently detrimental to Biden’s reputation.
The tragedy in Haiti, which has recently gained attention in the headlines, is likely to further highlight the immigration issue for American voters. However, President Biden may face constraints from progressive groups who will advocate against repatriating refugees back to Haiti due to the country’s significant political instability.
According to a spokesperson from the White House National Security Council, they acknowledge that migrants from around the world are driven by economic, political, and security instability. They are closely monitoring the situation and are keeping an eye on the routes commonly used by migrants to reach the borders. Currently, they note that irregular migration flows through the Caribbean are at a low level.
The issue of migrants, with many claiming refugee status, arriving at the southern border has already become a highly contentious topic in American politics. It has also been a key focus of Donald Trump, who is now the presumptive Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
According to a recent survey conducted by Monmouth University, a staggering 84 percent of American voters view illegal immigration as a significant and pressing issue for the nation. In contrast, only 10 percent of respondents consider it to be a relatively minor concern, while a mere five percent believe it is of no importance at all. These findings highlight the widespread concern and recognition of the seriousness of illegal immigration among the American population.
On Tuesday, a leaked memo from the Florida Border Force, as reported by the New York Post, indicated that the ongoing chaos in Haiti would hinder the repatriation of migrants to the country.
According to the statement, due to the government’s collapse in Haiti, the repatriation of Haitians might not occur in the near future. In light of this situation, the Coast Guard may no longer intercept Haitian sail freighters but instead provide them with assistance in reaching land.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took action in 2021, activating the state’s National Guard and declaring a state of emergency. This response was prompted by the arrival of hundreds of Cuban and Haitian migrants by boat. The situation unfolded amidst political turmoil in Haiti, following the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse by a group of foreign mercenaries in July of that year.
Law enforcement encountered Haitian migrants approximately 146,000 times across the southern border between October 2020 and May 2023. Coast Guard figures reveal that around 4,600 Haitians were intercepted at sea from October 2002 until June 2023.
