Haitian government should challenge US for ‘humiliating’ immigrants, advocates say

As some Haitian immigrants reporting to federal immigration offices leave with electronic ankle monitors, a leading community advocate is calling on Haiti’s government to sue the United States over what he describes as a humiliating treatment.

“The Haitian government should sue them because it’s the same American government that allowed these folks to come here, just to treat them as if they were criminals,” Vilès Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Support Center, said.

Dorsainvil’s remarks, made in an exclusive Haitian Times interview last Sunday, echo calls other advocates have shared about the immigration policies upending lives in the U.S. and Haiti. Some advocates there suggest the Haitian government ask the U.S. for a delay in deportations until after Haiti holds elections or work out other alternatives.

“The request may not be approved, but not saying anything is bad and careless leadership,” said Jules Romulus, executive director of Vision Haïtienne des droits de l’Homme (VHDH).

To date, no Haitian government official has publicly addressed U.S. treatment of Haitian immigrants nor how it might provide for former TPS holders deported. Neither the Prime Minister’s Office nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have replied to The Haitian Times’ messages seeking comments about the advocates’ proposed calls for action.