CARECEN Demands Biden Administration Stop Inhumane Treatment and Deportations of Haitian Refugees

The actions of immigration enforcement and the alarming images of border patrol agents mounted on horses with whips in hand pushing Haitian refugees seeking protection is reminiscent of our country's long-standing history of racist persecution.

Haitian children and families are refugees seeking protection and should be treated with compassion. Haiti has been plummeted by a series of crises, including the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and a devastating 7.2 earthquake. Half of those impacted by the earthquake have yet to receive humanitarian aid. 

"The treatment of our Haitian brothers and sisters at the border is inhumane and cruel. The Biden Administration must hold border patrol accountable and must stop all deportations to Haiti. Our laws protect those seeking asylum and we should provide that same opportunity to Haitian refugees. We must address the root causes of forced migration in order to find real and long lasting solutions at the same time that we address the border crisis in a humane manner. The Biden Administration must stop all deportation flights to Haiti. We can and should do better,” said Martha Arevalo, CARECEN Executive Director.

“The Biden Administration has refused to terminate Trump’s era Title 42 policy and instead has continued to defend it and use it to justify the expulsion of thousands of Haitian refugees. Title 42 must be terminated and the right to seek asylum must be upheld. The Biden Administration must take swift action to end the former Administration’s racist persecution against immigrants and lead us into a more just and humane immigration system,” said Camila Alvarez, CARECEN Legal Director.