U.S. Restricts Policy on Undocumented Haitians

The US Department of Homeland Security announced on September 22 that it would fully resume deportations of undocumented Haitian immigrants in light of the recent surge of Haitians arriving at the southwestern border. The move dissolves the six-year moratorium on deportations put in place after the 2010 earthquake that devastated the Caribbean nation, lifting special protections that allowed Haitian migrants to remain in the United States for up to three years.

According to a statement by Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson,

the Obama Administration now allows for the removal of “Haitian nationals on a more regular basis, consistent with the practice for nationals from other nations,” citing “improved conditions in Haiti.”. However, the policy does not apply to Haitians covered by temporary protected status. The shift in policy will affect as many as 40,000 Haitians that are currently in transit through Central and South American countries, reported the New York Times. Most of them begin their 7,000-mile journey in Brazil, traversing 11 nations and spending thousands of dollars in fees to smugglers to make their way to the United States.

Those that make it across the treacherous trek now risk being turned away—and some will have nowhere to go. In response to the policy change, Haitian government officials said that while they are prepared to receive those sent back, they will not accept them under all conditions, according to the Miami Herald.

The announcement comes less than three weeks before Haiti’s October 9 elections to replace provisional President Jocelerme Privet. The possibility of having thousands of Haitians repatriated prior to the vote has raised concerns of its potential impact on the elections and on the country’s unstable economic and political environment.