CGRS Urges Biden Administration to Halt Removals to Haiti

The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) expresses its deepest sympathy to Haiti and Haitians following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that ravaged the country on Saturday and stands in solidarity with Haitian leaders driving the humanitarian response. In light of this devastation, we implore the Biden administration to immediately cease deportation and expulsion flights to Haiti. 

CGRS Legal Director Blaine Bookey offered the following statement on this solemn weekend:

“It is unconscionable for the U.S. government to forcibly remove anyone to Haiti right now. Even before yesterday’s earthquake, the country was experiencing high levels of insecurity culminating in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse just weeks ago. Indeed, the government has recognized the dire conditions in Haiti by extending Temporary Protected Status to some Haitians. Continued removals to Haiti simply cannot be squared with that recognition. Instead of continuing to forcibly and unlawfully push individuals, including infants and pregnant people, into harm’s way, we should focus U.S. resources on supporting relief organizations that center Haitian, community-led solutions.”