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CAP-HAÏTIEN, February 4, 2025 – A chartered flight from the United States arrived Tuesday at Cap-Haïtien Airport, carrying the first group of Haitians deported under Donald Trump’s administration. However, these individuals had been detained and awaiting deportation long before Trump took office. Despite recent high-profile ICE raids across multiple U.S. cities, these deportees are not part of the latest arrests.

While several other nations have implemented reintegration programs for their returning nationals, Haitian authorities remain unprepared. The Office National de la Migration (ONM) was the only agency to assist the deportees, offering each a 5,000-gourde stipend, barely enough for basic transportation costs.

This latest wave of deportations is part of the Trump administration’s intensified immigration crackdown, which targets both undocumented migrants and individuals with criminal records. While these policies reflect the U.S. government’s stricter border enforcement, they also create a growing humanitarian crisis in Haiti, a country already struggling with political instability, economic decline, and worsening security threats.

The Haitian government, led by the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), has failed to establish a structured response to this influx of returnees. This lack of preparation is particularly concerning given that Haitian officials recently traveled to the U.S. for diplomatic discussions. Despite these meetings, no concrete measures were implemented to support the deportees upon their arrival.

Many of these returnees lack financial resources and family support, making reintegration even more challenging. With more deportation flights expected in the coming weeks, the situation could quickly escalate, further straining Haiti’s fragile economy and social services. The critical question remains: Is Haiti prepared to handle this growing migration crisis?