Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 24 janvier 2025

Rubio calls for help from foreign partners to stabilize Haiti — not the U.S.

J. Scott Applewhite

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio says sending U.S. troops to Haiti is not the key to stabilizing the chaotic situation in the Caribbean country.

The 53-year-old Republican is President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. Secretary of State. During a confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Rubio told his fellow U.S. Senators that there is no easy answer in Haiti, where violence by armed gangs continues unabated.

"You've got to establish some baseline security, and it's not gonna come from a U.S. military intervention. So to the extent that we can encourage foreign partners — and I would include foreign partners in the Western hemisphere who should be contributing to this effort — to provide some level of stability and security in Haiti, so that you can explore the opportunities to have a transitional government that has legitimacy."

Kenya is currently leading a multi-national mission to help Haiti.

The United Nations Human Rights Office reports that gang violence left about 5,600 people dead in Haiti last year alone and has driven at least one million people from their homes.

This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.

6 key takeaways from Haiti’s economic decline since 2018

An analysis of six years of economic downturn and the proposed solutions from Minister Alfred Fils Métellus

by Stevenson Pierre Joseph Jan. 17, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Overview:

This story examines Haiti's prolonged economic crisis since 2018, analyzing the factors behind the six-year decline and key proposals by Minister of Economy and Finance Alfred Fils Métellus. It highlights alarming statistics, financial challenges and the transitional government’s plans for recovery as presented on Tele Métropole’s Kesner Pharel “Grand Rendez-vous Économique” show.

CAP-HAITIEN — A joint report published recently by the Haitian Institute of Statistics and Informatics (IHSI) and the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) has presented a bleak picture of Haiti’s economy. It has remained stagnant for six years, with no recorded growth since 2018. The middle class, which is meant to be the backbone of the economy, comprises only 8% of the country’s nearly 12 million people, the report indicates. 

Haiti’s last economic expansion was a modest 1.7% in 2018, but since then, the economy has contracted by 4.2% due to several factors, including political instability, social unrest, and the COVID-19 pandemic. As poverty deepens—more than 60% of Haitians live on less than $1 a day—and insecurity stifles investment, the government has unveiled an ambitious 324 billion gourdes or about $2.5 billion budget for 2024 aimed at addressing these challenges. However, experts warn that recovery will require bold reforms and significant international support.

Minister of Economy and Finance Alfred Fils Métellus, who intervened on Télé Métropole’s Kesner Pharel Grand Rendez-Vous Économique show on Jan. 1, outlined the causes and consequences while proposing solutions to reverse the trend.

The following are six takeaways from the report, along with action plans proposed by the transitional government:

Poverty levels continue to rise

More than 60% of Haitians live on less than $1 a day, while over 30% are in extreme poverty. Minister Alfred Fils Métellus stressed the critical role of the middle class – a group that makes up only 8% of the population – in stabilizing the economy. He noted that building a stronger middle class will be essential for Haiti’s long-term recovery.

Agricultural sector in decline

The agricultural sector, which once served as the pillar of the Haitian economy, is now contracting at an annual rate of 5%. This has exacerbated food insecurity across the country, leaving millions vulnerable. Minister Métellus emphasized the urgent need for targeted investment in agriculture to reverse this trend.

Insecurity and its economic toll

Insecurity is one of the most significant barriers to economic recovery. Minister Métellus revealed that repairing the damage caused by insecurity will require $1.3 billion, a figure to be included in the national budget. The lack of securityhas stifled investment, disrupted businesses, and displaced communities, further deepening Haiti’s economic challenges.

Budget priorities for recovery

Haiti’s 2024 budget of 324 billion gourdes, or about $2.5 billion, prioritizes three critical areas:

• Restoring security to ensure stability.
• Organizing credible elections by February 2026.
• Addressing the humanitarian crisis by subsidizing small businesses (SMEs) and creating jobs.

Decentralization

Métellus also plans to decentralize spending to reduce the dominance of the West Department, which absorbs 60-70% of national resources.

The role of international donors and the private sector

To finance recovery efforts, Haiti will depend heavily on international donors and the private sector. A chart presented during Métellus’ interview with Kesner Pharel revealed a $900 million funding gap that the government hopes to close through international aid. Métellus emphasized the importance of mobilizing these funds while pursuing reforms to rebuild confidence in Haiti’s economy.

For many observers, the transitional government plan looks ambitious. However, with a shrinking middle class, rising poverty, and a reliance on international donors, the path to recovery remains fraught with challenges.

Friends and family mourn journalist killed in Haiti Christmas Eve gang attack at hospital

With another journalist Mackendy Nathoux’s funeral set for Jan. 18, the Dec. 24 attack leaves seven journalists injured—some now desperate for urgent medical treatment abroad

by Juhakenson Blaise Jan. 17, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Overview:

Jimmy Jean, one of the journalists killed in a gang attack during the attempted reopening of the State University Hospital of Haiti (HUEH) on December 24, was buried on Thursday, while the funeral of Mackendy Nathoux is scheduled for Jan. 18. This tragedy has plunged the victims' families into unimaginable grief for which they were unprepared. Furthermore, this incident left several journalists injured, two of whom risk paralysis and permanent disabilities if they do not leave the country for specialized medical surgeries.

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Friends, family, and colleagues gathered Thursday at Saint-Pierre Church in Pétion-Ville to bid a final farewell to journalist Jimmy Jean, one of two reporters killed during a gang attack on the General Hospital on December 24. 

“Jimmy, you didn’t even tell me what to do with your son. This is the gift you left us,” Jean’s widow sobbed as she clutched two of their children during the service.

Jean’s mother, overcome with grief, recalled the agony of waiting for news after hearing of the attack. “We kept calling him, but there was no answer. The weight of this loss is unbearable,” she said.

Jean’s family mourned the loss of a father of six, a husband, and a son. Jean, invited to cover the reopening of the main capital hospital, Haiti State University Hospital, HUEH, was fatally shot during the attack. His sudden loss has left his loved ones grief-stricken, with his colleagues and family demanding justice from the Haitian government. 

The funeral for Mackendy Nathoux, the second journalist who lost his life that day, is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18.

The attack, which also claimed the life of a police officer, marked a grim day for journalism in the country and underscored the dangers faced daily by reporters covering stories amid escalating gang violence.

Journalists injured in Dec. 24 attack face dire medical needs

The seven journalists injured during the attack are grappling with life-altering injuries and limited medical resources in Haiti. Among them, Florise Desronvil, a mother of a 13-year-old, is confined to her home with two bullets lodged in her body.

“I was shot in the back and near my waist. The bullet lodged close to my pelvis,” Desronvil said in an interview with The Haïtian Times via WhatsApp on Jan.10. “Doctors here told me surgery could paralyze me, so I need to go abroad for proper treatment.”

Desronvil’s injuries have left her unable to care for her child or her ailing mother. “I can’t even bend to use a container for basic needs,” she added, appealing for help. “I can no longer walk properly.”

Desronvil depends on her brother, grandson, friends, and neighbors to help meet her daily needs. Her life was irreversibly altered in a matter of seconds during the gang attack, leaving her family overwhelmed with grief.

“This news shocked us—it was God who saved my sister,” her brother told The Haitian Times, recounting how his wife broke the news to him.

“I still can’t sleep or feel at ease after hearing what happened,” added Dufred Deronvil, the eldest sibling, echoing his younger sister’s pleas for assistance.

Another injured journalist, Jocelyn Chandel, remains in the hospital, where he awaits a second surgery after bullets struck his hand and mouth. Chandel’s situation worsened when gangs burned his home and motorcycle in Nazon.

Medical staff have threatened to discharge Chandel due to the lack of resources for a second surgery on his mouth, leaving him in dire need of care.

“The doctor said I need another surgery within three months, or I could lose my chin and teeth,” Chandel said. “I can only eat liquids, and I can’t control my saliva. I need help to get to Cuba for specialized care.”

Despite the government’s promises to assist victims and their families, the journalists say little has materialized. A commission to assist the injured victims and their families was established to cover funeral costs, medical expenses, and psychological support. While funeral costs, and some medical expenses were covered, concrete action remains elusive.

The attack highlights continuous impunity and  risks to Press Freedom in Haiti

The Dec. 24 attack unfolded as journalists covered the reopening of the General Hospital, a high-profile event organized by then-Health Minister Duckenson Lorthé Blema. Gunfire erupted when gangs targeted a police patrol near the hospital, shooting journalists standing at the facility entrance, trapping others, staff and attendees. Survivors were eventually rescued by agents from the General Security Unit of the National Palace (USGPN), who scaled walls to escort them to safety The hospital has been closed since February 2024.

“The doctor said I need another surgery within three months, or I could lose my chin and teeth.”

Jocelyn Chandel, one of the injured journalistsnormal

“It’s a terrible moment I will never forget,” said Chandel, speaking to The Haitian Times via WhatsApp. “I was standing in front of the facility when I was hit with two bullets, one in my right hand and the other in my lower mouth.”

The incident has fueled criticism of Blema for holding the event without adequate police coordination and led to his dismissal. It also underscores Haiti’s worsening impunity for crimes against journalists and spotlighted Haiti’s precarious press freedom, with the nation topping the Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) Global Impunity Index since 2023.

Since 2019, at least seven journalists have been killed in Haiti, with most cases unresolved. CPJ cites a weakened judiciary, rampant gang violence, and political instability as barriers to justice. The organization’s 2024 Global Impunity Indexhighlights these unresolved murders, including that of Garry Tesse, whose mutilated remains were found six days after his disappearance in October 2022.

“This year, Haiti climbed to the top of the impunity index, reflecting the unresolved murders of its journalists,” CPJ noted in its latest report.

As the Haitian press mourns Jean and Nathoux, the call for accountability grows louder. For injured journalists, the fight is also for survival—physically and financially—in a nation where press freedom is under siege.

Jacques Desrosiers, Secretary General of the Haitian Journalists Association (AJH), has documented around 40 journalist killings from 1823 to 2023. In 2022 alone, about seven journalists lost their lives.

“Some are victims of armed gang wars; others are killed during protests or left dead in the streets,” said Desrosiers, adding that journalists’ associations continue to demand the identification and prosecution of those responsible.

Immigrant rights group in Miami pushes White House to extend immigration benefits to Haitians

A leading advocacy group for immigrants in Miami wants President Biden to extend special immigration benefits to more than 200,000 Haitians nationwide before he leaves office on Monday.

The Family Action Network Movement, or FANM, is holding a press conference on Wednesday morning at their office in Miami to urge the administration to extend Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, to Haitian immigrants.

Last June, the Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the extension and redesignation of Haiti for TPS for 18 months, from Aug. 4, 2024, through Feb. 3, 2026. 

FANM leaders want the administration to extend TPS until at least Dec. 31, 2028. Florida is home to the country’s highest number of TPS holders — about 300,000. South Florida is home to the nation's largest number of Haitian immigrants.

It’s unclear if the administration would announce another extension before Biden leaves office on Monday.

Last Friday, the administration announced that about 600,000 Venezuelans and more than 230,000 Salvadorans with TPS can legally remain another 18 months. It also announced extending TPS for more than 103,000 Ukrainians and 1,900 Sudanese already in the country.

READ MORE: Biden extends time in US for 800,000 Venezuelans, Salvadorans as Trump readies immigration crackdown

The administration announcement came only a week before President-elect Donald Trump takes office with promises of hardline immigration policies. He has pledged to deport millions of people living in the U.S. illegally. 

Congress created TPS in 1990 to prevent deportations to countries suffering from natural disasters or civil strife, giving people authorization to work in increments of up to 18 months at a time.

About 1 million immigrants from 17 countries are protected by TPS, including people from Venezuela, Honduras, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine and Lebanon. Haitians are among the largest number of beneficiaries.

TPS, however, faces an uncertain future under Trump, who tried to sharply curtail its use during his first term as president. Federal regulations would allow the extensions to be terminated early, although that's never been done before.

FANM leaders are also expressing concerns over Monday’s decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis to hold a special legislative session in Tallahassee to implement Trump’s deportation plans.

“DeSantis’ support for these [deportation] measures pose a grave threat to Haitians and other immigrant communities, particularly as Haiti faces severe crises,” said the FANM in a statement. “Implementing these deportations would also have devastating economic consequences for the United States.”

DeSantis issued a proclamation Monday calling lawmakers into session starting Jan. 27. He said the session is needed, in part, to take steps for the state to help carry out Trump’s planned crackdown on illegal immigration.

“Thank you Ron, hopefully other Governors will follow!” Trump said in a post Tuesday on Truth Social.

DeSantis also wants lawmakers to use the special session to address issues that have driven up costs for condominium owners, change a ballot-initiative process, help the agricultural industry and residents recovering from hurricanes and replenish funding for a popular home-hardening program.

But Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, indicated Monday they want to wait until the regular session, which will start March 4, to address all the issues.

“As you know, this Legislature will address illegal immigration, condominiums, petition initiatives and hurricane recovery this (regular) session, which starts in 50 days,” Albritton and Perez said in a joint memo to lawmakers. “Calling a special session at this time is premature.”

The News Service of Florida and The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 27 décembre 2024

HAITIAN MUSIC

Carimi trio reflects on healing process after breakup and pressure of upcoming concert

The death of Michael “Mikaben” Benjamin on stage still haunts the trio, causing the members to ask themselves if they are ready to share the stage again

by Onz Chéry Dec. 20, 2024

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Ahead of their mega reunion concert, Carimi members have revealed that they are still working things out after their breakup in 2016. The group is also hesitant to share the stage again after fellow singer Michael Benjamin, known mostly as Mikaben to fans or Mika to friends and families, died during their last reunion concert in Paris, France. Nevertheless, the trio assures the audience that they will put on a show at the UBS Arena in New York for the ages.

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Carlo Vieux knew his decision to move from New York to Miami in the mid-2010s would have added another layer of problems to what his band, Carimi, was already facing. But he chose to put his family first and made the move with his wife, son and daughter.

“That’s not one of the reasons why we broke up, but that added some pepper,” Vieux, 47, said. “They didn’t agree with it. ‘Why did you move? You know the business is in New York and that’s where we live together. Now you moved and made it harder for us to rehearse.’”

Sign up for our free newsletters.

Vieux also disagreed with some of the dates Carimi was performing, such as during the Christmas holiday, a time he thought he should have been with the family he was creating. 

The two other members of the band, Richard Cavé and Mickael Guirand, had to make some decisions in favor of their families, too. It all added up, and the band eventually broke up in 2016. On good terms, Vieux insisted. 

“We didn’t burn any bridges,” he said.

 “People can’t just think while we’re talking everything is going well. We’re growing gradually. We’re healing. Tomorrow will probably be better than today.”

Mickael Guirand, Carimi singer
normal

Indeed, years after the breakup, even though Vieux was no longer in the music industry, he wanted to perform with his “brothers” again. He talked about it with late fellow singer Michael “Mikaben” Benjamin. However, he never brought it up to Cavé and Guirand because he didn’t know how they would react, especially since they were part of other bands, Kaï and Vayb, respectively.

“It takes time for things to come back to how they’re supposed to be,” Guirand, 49, said. “Today, I’m not going to say people said sorry; I think time did its job. Everyone acknowledged what they did that was wrong.”

“It’s like riding a bike,” Cavé, 48, said. “Even though you haven’t rode a bike in a while, it’s just going to take a short time to get used to it again.”

Indeed, Carimi wowed the crowd at the 20,000-cap Accor Arena, but during the concert, the most tragic thing happened. Benjamin, whom the trio considers the unofficial fourth member of the band, died on stage. Just about 30 seconds before Benjamin died, he shared a hug with Guirand. 

The Carimi trio posing for a picture with their unofficial fourth member, Michael Benjamin, during the video shoot of a carnival song in January 2016. From left to right: Photo via Carimi Nation Facebook account 

The Trio was hesitant to perform after Benjamin’s death 

After the painful memories of Paris, Guirand was reluctant to perform with Carimi again, despite multiple promoters reaching out to the group. He finally pushed himself to say yes to a concert at UBS Arena in New York on Dec. 27.

“I’m not ready,” Guirand said. “Reliving the last moments, reliving everything that happened, thinking of something we could have done differently. I’m asking myself a lot of questions. We’re not ready.”

Guirand added that the group feels pressured “from the fans, the public, everyone saying [they] have to team up to do certain things.”

The death of Benjamin on stage is also traumatizing Cavé and Vieux.

“You’re always going to get a little fear, a little doubt,” Cavé said. “Sometimes you might ask yourself if this concert is a good idea… But life goes on. I think someone like Mika would want us to keep making music.” 

The upcoming concert will be the first time a Haitian band headlines a U.S. arena. The members of this historic band are grateful to be the ones who opened that door in the Haitian music industry (HMI). 

Port-au-Prince, Haiti — The acrid smell of burning debris lingers in the air as Georges walks through the ruins of his neighborhood in Solino, a place he once called home. His bullet-riddled house and the smoldering remains of his car stand as silent witnesses to the gang violence engulfing much of Haiti’s capital.

“I thought we were safe,” Georges confesses during a Zoom meeting with supporters and donors, his voice trembling. “But safety here is now just an illusion.”

Georges is one of the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Haiti, forced to flee their homes as gangs tighten their grip on neighborhoods, turning once lively communities into war zones within months. His story reflects that of a nation teetering on the edge, where resilience is no longer an option but a necessity.

Today, Georges and his children find temporary refuge through community leader Raymond, in an improvised shelter: an apartment complex owned by Raymond’s brother and managed by Operasyon Men Nan Men (Operation Hand in Hand). This grassroots initiative supports the displaced, funded by donations from a small number of local and international donors and sustained by the tireless efforts of a dozen volunteers. It has become a beacon of hope for those who have lost everything.

A Community in Crisis

Haiti’s security crisis has worsened dramatically in recent months, with gang violence displacing over 700,000 people nationwide, according to humanitarian organizations. In some areas, gangs act as de facto authorities, controlling access to basic services and imposing brutal laws, including attacks on and burning of schools, hospitals, and even churches.

Georges recalls the night he fled: “It was chaos. They came in the night, shooting everywhere. We escaped with only the clothes on our backs.”

At Operasyon Men Nan Men, Georges and a few others have begun the arduous work of reclaiming their lives.

Taking Responsibility Amid Chaos

Rather than waiting for international aid or government intervention—often seen as hopelessly slow—Georges and other displaced individuals are taking matters into their own hands.

With the support of Operasyon Men Nan Men, the group has launched a pilot project to establish “model communities” for displaced families. These communities aim to provide more than just shelter; they offer a chance for stability through sustainable agriculture, educational programs, and vocational training. The ultimate goal is to relocate willing individuals and families out of Port-au-Prince to provinces where land has been secured.

“Our goal is not just to survive,” says Mireille, a community organizer involved in the initiative. “We want to thrive. We want to prove that, even amid this chaos, Haitians can rebuild.”

A Glimmer of Hope

In the first model community established in Delmas, families are planting trees, cleaning streets with their own hands, and attending workshops on starting small businesses. Georges, for his part, has found purpose in helping install solar panels for the new shelter.

“When I work, I feel alive again,” he says. “It’s not just about fixing wires. It’s about fixing what’s broken inside me.”

But the challenges are immense. Gangs often target aid convoys, and resources are limited. While international organizations have praised the model communities as innovative, they warn that without broader security improvements, their sustainability remains uncertain. Located less than a kilometer from the no-man’s-land, the small community mobilizes the entire neighborhood, forming vigilance brigades to prepare for any eventuality. On the night of December 18-19 their neighbourhood was attacked by armed men for the first time. " The police repelled them with force. It’s not just armed resistance that matters. Non-armed resistance is just as important," says one leader, whose name remains secret. "I was awake since 2:30 AM to organize the resistance."

________________________________________

How to Help:

To support Operasyon Men Nan Men and their efforts, visit https://operasyonmennanmen.org/  or donate directly through https://operasyonmennanmen.org/donate-fr .

Don’t miss “Mountains” this holiday season at Brooklyn College

Post-screening discussion with Ibi Zoboi and cast dives into the film’s cultural and familial themes.

by The Haitian Times Dec. 19, 2024

Overview:

Monica Sorelle’s acclaimed film, Mountains, will be screened at Brooklyn College on December 27, 2024. The event includes a conversation with Ibi Zoboi and lead actors about the film’s central themes.

If you missed Monica Sorelle’s critically acclaimed film Mountains at the Tribeca Film Festival or BAM Film 2024, here’s your chance to experience it this holiday season. The Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College will host a free screening on Friday, Dec. 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Poster for a free screening of the film Mountains at Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College on Friday, Dec. 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Monica Sorelle, a Haitian American filmmaker and artist, has garnered significant attention for her ability to bring the Haitian experience to the forefront of her work. Raised in Miami’s Little Haiti, Sorelle’s upbringing influences her focus on themes of alienation, displacement, and cultural preservation. Her directorial debut, Mountains, has been celebrated for its authentic storytelling, which portrays the challenges of gentrification, cultural identity, and familial conflict.

The film tells the story of Xavier (Atibon Nazaire), a demolition worker who dreams of buying a home for his family while grappling with the erasure of his Little Haiti neighborhood. His wife Esperance (Sheila Anozier) works tirelessly to support the household, while their American-born son Junior (Chris Renois) struggles to reconcile his Haitian heritage with his American identity. The multilingual film, featuring Haitian Creole, English, and Spanish, has received accolades at Tribeca, TIFF, and other festivals for its vivid storytelling and cultural authenticity.

Following the screening, there will be a dynamic discussion featuring New York Times best-selling author Ibi Zoboi and lead actors Atibon Nazaire and Sheila Anozier. Zoboi, a Haitian American author and National Book Award finalist is known for her young adult novels that explore themes of identity and social issues. One of her most well-known works is American Street, about a teenage girl who migrates from Haiti to Detroit, 

Don’t miss this powerful film and the chance to engage in an enriching dialogue with its creators and stars. The event is free and open to the public at Brooklyn College, 2920 Campus Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11210.

RSVP here. 

American Airlines suspends flights to Haiti indefinitely

MIAMI – American Airlines is no longer resuming its daily service out of Miami into Port-au-Prince's Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

Our news partners at The Miami Herald were the first to report the news.

American had initially suspended flights through February 12. The suspension is now indefinite.

A spokesperson for the U.S.-based carrier said that it will evaluate a possible resumption in late 2025 of the only daily service out of Miami International Airport into Haiti by a major U.S. airline.

This comes after The Federal Aviation Administration prohibited U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days after gangs shot three planes. Further, the United Nations temporarily suspended flights to Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, limiting humanitarian aid coming into the country.

The American Airlines statement read in part: "American has made the difficult decision to suspend daily service between Miami (MIA) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP)," the spokesperson said. "We are proud of our more than 50-year-commitment to Haiti and we will continue to monitor the situation, assessing safety, security, and customer demand, in evaluating a return of service. We will proactively reach out to impacted customers to offer a full refund of their travel itinerary."

Multiple airlines avoiding potential violence

Last month, several air carriers — including American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines — announced the suspension of daily flights into Haiti after confirmation their planes were hit by gunfire while in Haitian airspace in early November.

Neither Spirit nor JetBlue has said if and when they will resume Haiti flights.

JetBlue Airways operates flights both out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport into Port-au-Prince.

Spirit Airlines, which was approaching Toussaint Louverture International Airport with passengers when the bullets struck, also suspended its service between Fort Lauderdale and Cap-Haïtien in the north of the country.

No passengers were injured.

What does this mean for Haitians in the U.S. and Haiti?

The ban on commercial and cargo flights has created severe problems for Haitians. The roads in and out of the capital are controlled by armed gangs, and mudslides last week buried two major roads connecting Cap-Haïtien and the capital.

Those making it out of the capital have either had to beg for a ride on a government-leased helicopter meant for the purpose of moving security forces to hot zones or pay $2,500 for a ride on a privately leased helicopter with a 20-pound weight limit.

The FAA initially placed all of Haiti under the flight ban. It later amended its decision to exclude airports outside of the capital.

The only other airport that can receive commercial international flights, Hugo Chavez International Airport, is in the northern city of Cap-Haïtien.

Today, the small airport serves as the only air bridge in and out of the country. The airspace between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is still closed. The Bahamas suspended flights into the country. The only direct service to the U.S. currently is via Haiti-owned Sunrise Airways.

Despite that, it has not stopped the United States from deporting Haitians back to the country. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security flew 70 deportees into Cap-Haïtien despite days of heavy rains that had left the city flooded and all access out of the city to other parts of Haiti blocked.

First published on December 8, 2024 / 12:31 PM EST

© 2024 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 3 décembre 2024

Beware of bad advice about Trump’s deportation pledges

Community advocates urge Haitians to avoid panic as questions swirl about TPS, Biden’s program, and what’s next.

by The Haitian Times and  Macollvie J. Neel Nov. 29, 2024

Overview:

As misinformation about Trump’s potential immigration policies circulates online, Haitian community advocates caution against panic. They advise focusing on securing legal documents, avoiding fear-mongering on social media, and seeking guidance from trusted organizations like HAUP and Catholic Charities.

Editor’s Note: The following article should not be considered legal advice. For assistance with immigration issues, please consult a reputable attorney for appropriate guidance.

NEW YORK — With President-elect Donald Trump gearing up to take office, anxiety is spreading among some Haitian immigrants so intensely that many are turning to unreliable sources for legal advice. Amid the uncertainty surrounding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Biden’s humanitarian parole program as well as reports of people fleeing certain areas, immigrant advocates are urging the community to stay calm, emphasizing preparation over panic.

The surge in panic has been fueled largely by misinformation online, including a TikTok listing so-called “safe” places to move to under Trump’s presidency. According to advocates, some trusted community sources and relatives are also sharing poor or unverified advice. But despite having good intentions, the advice is misleading.

“Sit tight, mind your business, and stay out of trouble. These are uncertain times, but panic won’t help.”

Elsie Saint-Louis, Haitian Americans United for Progress
From the larger umbrella service providers to community-based groups and individual practitioners, the questions continue to come as people worry about mass deportation. Answers seem to fall into three categories: It’s too early to give legal advice, remember that TPS or CHNV are legal status, and stay calm and prepare your documents.

“There’s always misinformation when there is a change in administration, in either direction,” explained Margaret Martin, co-director of Immigrant and Refugee Services at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. “The misinformation, confusion and fear is going to increase.”

No blanket legal advice available right now 

Catholic Charities, an umbrella group that services immigrants and refugees of all nationalities, says the calls are coming to them from community partners and city agencies alike. 

“We don’t know when it’s going to happen, how it’s going to happen or if it’s going to happen,” an attorney with the Haitian Response Initiative (HRI) told The Haitian Times. “Everyone is kind of in a state of confusion, so we try to keep our clients calm.”

“Don’t listen to TikTok,” the HRI attorney added, referring to unverified advice on the platform.

Elsie Saint-Louis, executive director of Haitian Americans United for Progress (HAUP) in Brooklyn, said her organization has been inundated with calls since the election.

“It’s nonstop. People are worried,” Saint-Louis said. 

“None of us know what Trump will do,” she added. “Just wait, mind your business and stay out of trouble, and do what you do. That’s all you can do.”

Top questions from the community

Based on interviews The Haitian Times conducted with community leaders and advocates, here are the most common questions Haitians are calling about.

Is my TPS still valid?

Yes. If you have TPS until 2026 for example, it remains valid until then, regardless of speculation. Advocates urge TPS holders to ensure their paperwork is current.

I’m here on the Biden program. Do I have to leave in two years?

The program was always intended as temporary. Whether the two years apply from entry or program start is unclear. For now, advocates recommend focusing on renewing documents and seeking legal advice if eligible for status adjustment.

What should I do now?

Community leaders suggest gathering important immigration documents, avoiding fraudsters, and seeking help from credible legal organizations.

Want to help Haitians in Springfield, Ohio? Here are some places to start.

Financial support can help organizations on the ground respond to the immediate needs and threats of the community, from ongoing harassment to digital security. Here are a few places to visit if you’d like to make a donation or get involved. 

Sep. 21, 2024

Overall, the consensus among the advocates and attorneys is for families to continue living their lives, stay informed through credible channels and ensure their documents are in order. They encourage people to turn to established organizations or reputable immigration attorneys with expertise in their particular circumstances.

They also encourage Haitians to avoid self-proclaimed lawyers or notariospromising quick fixes or telling them what they want to hear. 

“We let people know that at this moment, nothing has changed,” Martin said. “If it does change after January 20th, we will be here to let people know what those changes mean for them. In the meantime, just keep doing the same thing they were doing before.”

Support our work

As an independent publication, we rely on contributions from readers like you to fund our journalism.

Little Haiti-based nonprofit acquires land for expanded healthcare

Center for Haitian Studies provides for the uninsured and the underfunded

Known for its affordable health services and annual health fair, the Center for Haitian Studies (CHS) takes care of any Miami resident regardless of insurance, and soon, the organization could expand to a new location to offer even more free medical services to the community in Little Haiti. At the City of Miami commission meeting on Oct. 24, commissioners voted unanimously to donate a plot of land at 185 NE 82nd St. to CHS. 

When Chairwoman Christine King, who represents the area, saw that the city was holding onto land near the CHS offices, she put forward a resolution so that the nonprofit could use the land “for providing charitable healthcare and human services to uninsured and to benefit persons and families with low and moderate income,” she said.

District 5 Commissioner King attended the CHS Health Fair this year and was pleased to see her constituents receiving free healthcare — immunization, eye exams, blood pressure checks and many more services.

“I was blown away by the services that they are providing uninsured residents, families, you know, not just adults, but children,” she told The Miami Times in an interview.

CHS also provides services through the University of Miami’s Pediatric Mobile Clinic, where children have received primary care since 1992. That van often sits in front of the land the healthcare workers can now use to expand their services even further. 

Dr. Rimsky Denis, a cardiologist and assistant director at CHS, is helping shape the vision for future services.

“We have a growing population of women who are pregnant, who recently migrated to the country who otherwise have no access to women's health care. We'd love to be able to use that space to expand those services,” he said in an interview with the executive director and medical director. 

Helping those in need

As medical director, Dr. Stephen Symes is concerned about the social determinants of chronic health issues. One patient, he told the Times, still struggles to find consistent care for her ulcer and needs to see a specialist. 

“We've been seeing her every week or so to wrap the leg, change the dressings and make sure that wound starts to heal,” Symes explained, but attempting help through the Jackson hospital system proved difficult. “She's a legal resident, she has benefits, she pays taxes, but somewhere along the line, the extensive paperwork that the county system requires, it failed her, or she failed it.” 

Every day CHS doctors see about 25 patients with appointments. But there are even more that walk in. At the Health Fair on Oct. 19, they treated roughly 350 people, most of which were identified as underinsured or “unfunded” patients. On a daily basis, Dr. Denis said, “we provide free primary care, preventative services to roughly 25 patients or so, and not including the patients that are seen in the pediatric mobile van.”

Executive Director Dr. Larry Pierre said that some people have such a difficult time getting care at major hospitals that by the time they get help, they are in the emergency room.

“We serve as diversion clinic for Jackson … They don't have a place in the community to go, and then they'll end up at Jackson again with with a catastrophic illness,” he explained. 

CHS can now imagine a day where the Pediatric Mobile Clinic expands into a brick-and-mortar doctor’s office. Service providers can screen more men and women for breast cancer, and focus on some of the leading causes of death for Black families like heart disease.

Training future providers

Through its partnerships with the Jackson and University of Miami systems, the CHS also attract highly qualified doctors and students. 

Dr. Denis says he is a product of that relationship. He learned about CHS as a medical student, and after receiving his M.D. and pursuing research outside of Florida, he returned to serve his community.

“I would say that 95% of the medical students at the University of Miami, in some way, form or fashion, have some involvement with the Center for Hatian Studies … where they come here to learn about community care,” he said. “So when I was a medical student, that's how I became involved.” 

The Miller School of Medicine at UM gets students involved through its Department of Community Services. Students complete their mandatory clinical experience with CHS before they graduate, and they are learning from highly experienced clinicians like Dr. Symes.

Symes is an associate professor of internal medicine at Miller.

“I'm a teacher, educator, an HIV specialist but also I spend two half days a week here at the center. I've been doing that for the past 10 years,” he said.

A continued commitment

Chairwoman King has matched the doctors’ passion for this community. “When she came to the health fair, she expressed excitement,” Dr. Pierre said. “She cared enough to sponsor our item.”

King regularly raises awareness to mental and physical health issues on her podcast The King-dom.

“We just have to keep bringing awareness and educating the community. And where government [is] concerned, whatever we can do to elevate organizations such as CHS in helping them provide resources to the community,” said King.

It’s issues like housing and immigration that the organization can’t fix, that can hinder communities like Little Haiti from staying well. Symes said that CHS’ social worker “steadily every day, is seeing about 10 to 14 patients who are trying to navigate the system, sometimes without language competency or without a clear understanding of what their rights are.” 

This is why the board says this expansion and the city’s involvement will mean a lot to the community of Little Haiti and surrounding neighborhoods.

“There’s more to do,” said Symes, “but we’re committed to doing it.”

Haiti wonders what’s next as gang violence surges and the push for a UN peacekeeping mission flops

Danica CotoNovember 24, 2024 at 9:34 AM CST

chicagotribune.com

Police officers man a checkpoint checking for weapons, in the Petion-Ville of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — When Kenyan police arrived in Haiti as part of a U.N.-backed mission earlier this year to tackle gang violence, hopes were high.

Coordinated gang attacks on prisons, police stations and the main international airport had crippled the country’s capital and forced the prime minister to resign, plunging Haiti into an unprecedented crisis.

But the crisis has only deepened since the international policing contingent arrived. The main international airport closed for the second time this year after gangs opened fire on commercial flights in mid-November, striking a flight attendant. Gunmen also are attacking once-peaceful communities to try and seize control of the entire capital, taking advantage of political infighting that led to the abrupt dismissal of the prime minister earlier this month.

Now, a new prime minister is tasked with turning around a nation that sees no escape from its troubles as Haitians wonder: How did the country reach this point?

‘No functioning authority’

Bloody coups, brutal dictatorships and gangs created by Haiti’s political and economic elite have long defined the country’s history, but experts say the current crisis is the worst they’ve seen.

“I’m very bleak about the future,” said Robert Fatton, a Haitian politics expert at the University of Virginia. “The whole situation is really collapsing.”

The government is anemic, the U.N.-backed mission that supports Haiti’s understaffed police department lacks funding and personnel, and gangs now control 85% of the capital. Then, on Wednesday, another blow.

Doctors Without Borders announced it was suspending critical care in Port-au-Prince as it accused police of targeting its staff and patients, including threats of rape and death. It’s the first time the aid group has stopped working with new patients since it began operating in Haiti more than 30 years ago.

“Every day that we cannot resume activities is a tragedy, as we are one of the few providers of a wide range of medical services that have remained open during this extremely difficult year,” said Christophe Garnier, mission director in Haiti.

Lionel Lazarre, deputy spokesman for Haiti’s National Police, did not return messages for comment. Neither did officials with Kenya’s mission when asked about the surge in gang violence.

In a recent statement, the Kenyan-led mission said it was “cognizant of the road ahead that is fraught with challenges.” But it noted that ongoing joint patrols and operations have secured certain communities and forced gangs to change the way they operate.

André François Giroux, Canada’s ambassador to Haiti, told The Associated Press on Saturday that his country and others have been trying to bolster the Kenyan-led mission. “They’ve done miracles, I think, considering all the challenges that we’ve been facing,” he said.

“What we have to keep in mind is that it’s still very much in deployment mode,” Giroux said. “There are not even 400 on the ground right now.”

A spokesman for Haiti’s new prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, did not return messages for comment. In a statement Thursday, his administration said authorities were strengthening security along the capital’s main roads and had formed a special security council.

“The prime minister renews his commitment to find lasting solutions to current problems,” it said.

The statement was issued just days after gangs launched a pre-dawn attack Tuesday around an upper-class community in Haiti’s capital, forcing residents armed with machetes and guns to fight side-by-side with police to repel gunmen.

At least 28 gang members were killed, but not before some reached an area near an upscale hotel long considered safe.

“It tells you that there is no functioning authority in Haiti,” Fatton said.

Dwindling aid and growing isolation

A main concern in the ongoing crisis is the temporary closure of the main international airport in Port-au-Prince.

It means critical aid is not reaching those who need it the most in a country where nearly 6,000 people are starving and nearly half of the more than 11 million inhabitants are experiencing crisis levels of hunger or worse. Gang violence also has left more than 700,000 people homeless in recent years.

“We are deeply concerned about the isolation of Port-au-Prince from the rest of Haiti and the world,” said Laurent Uwumuremyi, Mercy Corps’ country director for Haiti.

The aid group helps people including more than 15,000 living in makeshift shelters, but persistent gang violence has prevented workers from reaching a growing number of them in the capital and beyond.

Basic goods also are dwindling as the suspension of flights has delayed imports of critical supplies.

“Before, there were some neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince that we considered safe that the gangs had never reached, but now they are threatening to take over the control of the entire capital,” Uwumuremyi said.

At least 150 people were reported killed in the capital and 20,000 forced to flee their homes in the second week of November alone. Overall, more than 4,500 people were reported killed in Haiti so far this year, the U.N. said.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 7 novembre 2024

Video falsely claims Haitian voter fraud in Georgia,

According to the FBI, Russia seeks to stoke division ahead of US election

by The Haitian Times Nov. 01, 2024

Overview:

U.S. intelligence agencies report that Russian actors produced a fabricated video falsely showing a Haitian immigrant involved in voter fraud in Georgia. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and federal officials are working to counteract this disinformation campaign as election tensions heighten.

In a disinformation effort linked to Russian interference, a falsified video claiming that a Haitian immigrant voted multiple times in Georgia has gained widespread attention on social media. The video, which Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger condemned as “targeted disinformation,” has been confirmed as foreign interference by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the FBI, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Sign up for our free newsletters.

The video depicts a man displaying multiple Georgia driver’s licenses while asserting he has voted several times in favor of the Democratic ticket. Following a backlash, Raffensperger labeled the video as “false and part of a disinformation effort.” He added that the CISA is investigating the video’s source in collaboration with federal and state partners, urging Elon Musk and other social media platform leaders to remove it from circulation immediately.

“The IC assesses that Russian influence actors manufactured a recent video that falsely depicted individuals claiming to be from Haiti and voting illegally in multiple counties in Georgia,” read a joint statement from the three agencies. Officials indicated that this video, among other fabricated content, is part of “Moscow’s broader effort to raise unfounded questions about the integrity of the US election and stoke divisions among Americans.”

“This is a classic example of disinformation designed to stir confusion and mistrust just before the election,” Raffensperger said in a statement. “We are working to trace this video’s origins to curb the spread of these misleading narratives.”

This incident underscores a broader trend of disinformation targeting immigrant communities, particularly Haitians, in an election cycle rife with racially charged political rhetoric. Earlier in the year, false claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were attacking residents’ pets went viral, propagated initially by neo-Nazi groups and later echoed by some high-profile political figures, including former President Donald Trump. The consequences were severe, with bomb threats forcing multiple school closures and heightening public tensions in the Ohio community.

For political scientists, this recent video is another unsettling reminder of how their identity and status are being weaponized for political gain. 

“Haitians are a convenient scapegoat,” said Dr. Sharon Austin Wright, a political science professor at the University of Florida. Wright teaches African American history and is the author of “The Caribbeanization of Black Politics: Race, Group Consciousness, and Political Participation in America.”

“It’s really sad that even now, when we have so many Haitians doing well and Haitian American elected officials, people still think of them as easy scapegoats.”

The ODNI, FBI, and CISA warned that “in the lead-up to election day and in the weeks and months after,” Russian actors are likely to release more disinformation to “undermine trust in the integrity of the election.” 

The ongoing investigation into this video underscores the urgency of monitoring and countering disinformation as the 2024 presidential election approaches.

Support our work at The Haitian Times

As an independent publication, we rely on contributions from readers like you to fund our journalism.

Second gentlemen rallies Haitian voters in Dade

Community leaders make final plea for Harris as Election Day closes in

Though Vice President Kamala Harris has yet to visit Florida on her presidential campaign trail, her husband, Douglas Emhoff, has. The second gentleman made a quick stop in Miami-Dade to meet with voters and elected officials on Thursday at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, hoping to spur civic engagement as the second week of early voting drew in.

The day prior, he had participated in a rally in Broward County, where he expressed confidence that Democrats can win Florida and urged caution regarding former President Donald Trump's rhetoric.

“We really need to listen to what Donald Trump is saying, what’s coming out of his mouth. We lived through it when he was president. Somehow we got through it. This time around, he poses an even greater threat – to the economy, to women, and our very lives,” Emhoff said during the “Get Out The Vote” rally in Hallandale Beach.

The visit to Little Haiti held special significance for a local Haitian community marred by GOP attacks. Last month, Trump made baseless claims about Haitians eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. Later, he threatened to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants if re-elected.

Emhoff’s arrival was welcomed by local Haitian leaders and activists, who emphasized the election's importance for their community. Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, the first Haitian from Florida elected to Congress, expressed gratitude for the second gentleman’s presence.

"He’s been going throughout the state talking about the needs, especially for the Haitian community, and understanding how crucial this election is for us,” she said.

She also highlighted the harmful impact of Trump's rhetoric:

"The way we've been denigrated by Donald Trump and his colleagues, him (Emhoff) standing up here and talking to us, is one of the best things that can happen right now."

Donald Trump gaining on Kamala Harris in the polls. I have some theories why  -

by Robert Reich

How can it be that Trump has taken a small lead in Arizona and Georgia – two swing states he lost to Biden in 2020? How can he be narrowly leading Harris in the swing state of North Carolina? How can he now be essentially tied with her in the other key swing states of Michigan and Wisconsin? 

More generally, how can Trump have chiseled away Harris’s advantage from early August? How is it possible that more voters appear to view Trump favorably now than they did several months ago when he was in the race against Biden? 

How can Trump – the sleaziest person ever to run for president, who has already been convicted on 34 felony charges and impeached twice, whose failures of character and leadership were experienced directly by the American public during his four years at the helm – be running neck-and-neck with a young, talented, intelligent person with a commendable record of public service? 

Related: It’s not just Trump v Harris: America’s men and women are also locked in battle now | Jonathan Freedland 

Since his horrid performance debating Harris, he’s doubled down on false claims that Haitian migrants are eating pets in Ohio. He’s been accompanied almost everywhere by rightwing conspiracy nutcase Laura Loomer. He said he “hates” Taylor Swift after she endorsed Harris; that Jewish people will be responsible if he loses the election; that the second attempt on his life was incited by the “Communist left rhetoric” of Biden and Harris. And so on. 

He’s become so incoherent in public that Republican advisers are begging him to get back “on message”. 

So why is he neck-and-neck with Harris? 

Before we get to what I think is the reason, let’s dismiss other explanations being offered. 

One is that the polls are understating voters’ support for Harris and overstating their support for Trump. But if the polls are systematically biased, you’d think it would be the other way around, since some non-college voters are probably reluctant to admit to professional pollsters their preference for Trump. 

Another is that the media is intentionally creating a nail-bitingly close race in order to sell more ads. But this can’t be right because, if anything, more Americans appear to be tuning out politics altogether. 

A final theory holds that Harris has not yet put to rest voters’ fears about inflation and the economy. But given that the American economy has rebounded, inflation is way down, interest rates are falling, wages are up and the job engine continues, you’d think voters at the margin would be moving toward her rather than toward Trump. 

The easiest explanation has to do with asymmetric information. 

By now, almost everyone in America knows Trump and has made up their minds about him. Recent polls have found that nearly 90% of voters say they do not need to learn more about Trump to decide their vote. 

But they don’t yet know Harris, or remain undecided about her. More on this in a moment. 

Trump is exploiting this asymmetry so that when it comes to choosing between Trump and Harris, voters will choose the devil they know. 

This requires, first, that Trump suck all the media oxygen out of the air so Harris has fewer opportunities to define herself positively. 

Americans who have become overwhelmed by the chaos are tuning out politics altogether, especially in swing states where political advertising is nonstop. And as they tune out both Trump and Harris, Trump is the beneficiary, because, again, he’s the devil they know. 

In other words, Trump is running neck-and-neck with Harris not despite the mess he’s created over the last few weeks but because of it. 

Trump’s strategy also requires that he and his allies simultaneously flood the airwaves and social media with negative ads about Harris, which are then amplified by the rightwing ecosystem of Fox News, Newsmax and Sinclair radio. 

Trump’s campaign has given up trying to promote him positively. The Wesleyan Media Project estimates that the Trump team is now spending almost zero on ads that show him in a positive light. There’s no point, because everyone has already made up their minds about him. 

Instead, the ads aired by Trump and his allies in swing states are overwhelmingly negative about Harris – emphasizing, for example, her past support for gender transition surgery for incarcerated people. 

Researchers on cognition have long known that negative messages have a bigger impact than positive ones, probably because in evolutionary terms, our brains are hard-wired to respond more to frightening than to positive stimuli (which might explain why social media and even mainstream media are filled with negative stories). 

Finally, Trump’s strategy necessitates that he refuse to debate her again, lest she get additional positive exposure (hence he has turned down CNN’s invitation for a 23 October debate, which she has accepted). 

Behind the information asymmetry lie racism and misogyny. I can’t help wondering how many Americans who continue saying they “don’t know” or are “undecided” about Harris are concealing something from pollsters and possibly from themselves: they feel uncomfortable voting for a Black woman. 

Having said all this, I’m cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the election. Why? Because Trump is deteriorating rapidly; lately he’s barely been able to string sentences together coherently. 

Harris, by contrast, is gaining strength and confidence by the day, and despite Trump’s attempts to shut her out, more Americans are learning about her. As she gets more exposure, Trump’s “devil-you-know” advantage disappears. 

Perhaps it’s more accurate to say I’m nauseously optimistic, because, to be candid, I go into the next five weeks feeling a bit sick to my stomach. Even if Harris wins, the fact that so many Americans seem prepared to vote for Trump makes me worry for the future of my country. 

• Robert Reich, a former US secretary of labor, is a professor of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few and The Common Good. His newest book, The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It, is out now. He is a Guardian US columnist. His newsletter is at robertreich.substack.com