Haitian families have shed blood, sweat, and tears to leave their home country. Haiti is located in the Caribbean region of North America. The journey to America is a long and tiresome journey that is dangerous for anyone who attempts to make their way to the border. In September, upwards of 15,000 Haitian immigrants reached the U.S.-Mexico border. These people risked their lives to flee their country and come to America. However, U.S. federal authorities made matters worse in their attempt to maintain control of the border.
Haiti has faced national turmoil after they faced a rise in political instability and major infrastructural damage from natural disasters. In July, Haitian President Jovenel Moise was assassinated by foreign mercenaries. With the country already suffering from poverty, socio-economic inequality, political violence, and more, the loss of the nation's leader caused anarchy. The Constitution stated that a vacancy of the president leaves the head of the Supreme Court as the next prime minister. But just a month before, the head of the Supreme Court passed away from COVID-19. The people of Haiti were left with uncertainty as the government scrambled to attempt to find a clear leader to step up as a prime minister. Finally, at the end of July, a new prime minister was appointed after having several misconceptions about the next leader of the nation. In August, a high 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. About 2,200 Haitians died in the earthquake, mostly from the abundance of debris. Les Cayes was the city that was most affected by the earthquake, with houses and buildings in ruins. It is evident that Haiti is facing the serious effects of climate change, and their lack of proper infrastructure also contributes to how natural disasters have become more and more strenuous to the nation.
Gang violence skyrocketed in the past summer, leaving Haitian families scared for their lives and fending for themselves. Kidnapping, homicide, and sexual assault crimes rose severely with the growing organized crime in the nation. Haitian families were tired of enduring dangerous conditions every day of their lives and sought to live a better life. This is why Haitians took the long to the United States, to seek asylum from their home country, as it was clear that it wasn't a safe place for anyone to call home anymore.
Haitians often start their journey by flying to Brazil, Chile, or another country in South America. Then, they attempt to make a living until they are able to travel to Central America and Mexico. This year, thousands of Haitians came to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico to attempt to cross over into El Paso, Texas to claim asylum. Many Haitian migrants also went to Ciudad Acuña, Mexico across from Del Rio, Texas, and camped under a bridge for months at a time. Although some Haitians were taken in and considered asylum-seekers, their harsh journey to the States was met with an overall unpleasant outcome. Many Haitians were arrested at the border while awaiting their freedom into the country. The Biden administration launched an expulsion campaign to Haiti in order to deter immigration into the nation. Thousands of Haitians were sent back to Haiti in shackles, amid the humanitarian and political crises taking place. Haiti was not even in a state to receive the deportations from the United States. This was a sudden action by President Biden after national attention was brought about the conditions at the border. Border Patrol agents were seen on horsebacks, whipping Haitians, most of whom were simply returning resources for survival for their families.
The treatment of Haitian families by the United States has added to their historic pattern of treatment of immigrants seeking asylum. President Biden continues to scramble to contain mass immigration controversy in the nation. This time it resulted in the inhumane treatment of Haitians who simply wanted to live a life where their lives weren't threatened every day.
Writer: Angelica Vivas
Sources:
Haitian migrants at US border: 'We've been through 11 countries' - BBC News
Haiti president's assassination: What we know so far - BBC News
Handling the Aftermath of Haiti’s Presidential Assassination | Crisis Group
Haitian Trip to Texas Border Often Starts in South America | Texas News | US News
Biden Administration’s Dangerous Haitian Expulsion Strategy Escalates the U.S. History of
Illegal and Discriminatory Mistreatment of Haitians Seeking Safety in the United States | Human Rights First
Officials: Many Haitian migrants are being released in US
Arrests Of Haitian Migrants At The U.S.-Mexico Border Soared Last Month — Here’s Why
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