Haitian Pulse - Politics

Urgent action needed to protect our diaspora, not empty gestures

Politics | The Haitian Pulse Editorial Team | June 28, 2025
Tags: immigration, diaspora, human rights, Haiti, Dominican Republic

A Growing Humanitarian Crisis on Our Border

In recent months, the Dominican Republic has intensified its crackdown on undocumented Haitians living within its borders. More than one million of our compatriots find themselves targeted by a campaign that often involves physical violence, public humiliation, and widespread detentions. These disturbing images, broadcast widely on social media and international news, highlight the dire situation faced by Haitians abroad.

This crackdown is not merely an isolated event; it is the culmination of years of neglect and failure by Haitian authorities to protect their own people. Despite the severity of the situation, the response from Haiti’s government has been limited to superficial gestures, such as offering buses for voluntary repatriation — a measure that barely scratches the surface of the problem.

“For too long, Haitians abroad have been caught in a silent crisis — forgotten by the very leaders sworn to defend them.”

Why Haitians Are Forced to Flee

The root causes driving Haitians to seek refuge in the Dominican Republic are complex but deeply intertwined with the crisis back home. Haiti has been plagued by escalating insecurity, rampant gang violence, political instability, and economic collapse. These factors have severely degraded everyday life, making it impossible for many to survive.

According to reports from local observers and international organizations, the presence of armed gangs has increased dramatically, restricting access to basic services and terrifying communities. Schools have closed, businesses have shuttered, and social order has frayed. This toxic mix has pushed countless families to consider migration not as a choice, but as a necessity for survival.

“When a people are forced to flee their homeland out of fear and desperation, it is a call for urgent change, not empty promises.”

Diplomatic Failures Deepen the Crisis

In this context, the role of Haitian officials should be to tirelessly advocate for their citizens abroad and negotiate protective measures. Unfortunately, what we see instead is a vacuum of meaningful diplomacy. Members of Haiti’s Permanent Technical Commission (CPT) and other government representatives have failed to engage in sustained, productive talks with Dominican counterparts.

When dialogue does occur, it is often marked by inexperience or missteps that derail progress. This lack of diplomatic skill allows the Dominican government to continue its harsh policies without significant pushback. No joint commissions, no humanitarian agreements, no concrete frameworks have been established to safeguard the rights and dignity of Haitians living across the border.

“Diplomacy without action is merely spectacle; our brothers and sisters abroad deserve more than empty gestures.”

The Silence in Washington

The situation in the United States, home to a large Haitian diaspora, is equally worrying. Despite the Trump administration’s policies, including the controversial decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, Haitian authorities have not made visible efforts to open communication channels with the White House or Congress.

No meetings, no formal requests, no public appeals have been documented since Donald Trump assumed office in January 2025. This silence sends a damaging message: that the plight of Haitians abroad is not a priority for those in power at home.

“True leadership is not in photo ops with foreign dignitaries, but in relentless advocacy for the rights and dignity of our people.”

The Cost of Empty Diplomacy

Too often, Haitian leaders are seen taking photographs with foreign officials at events that bear little relevance to the urgent issues facing the diaspora. These photo ops may provide temporary media attention, but they rarely translate into policies that improve lives.

This performative diplomacy not only wastes precious time and resources but also erodes public trust. Our people abroad feel abandoned, caught between hostile policies in foreign countries and indifference at home.

“Our diaspora is the heartbeat of Haiti’s future — neglecting their struggles is to weaken the entire nation.”

What Must Change

One of the most shameful realities in this ongoing crisis is Haiti’s lack of a reintegration system for deported citizens. When Haitians are forced back to their homeland, they step off the plane into a vacuum. There is no welcoming committee, no government presence, no orientation, and no support. These returnees — often emotionally shattered and financially broke — are abandoned to navigate a fractured and dangerous society entirely on their own.

This absence of reintegration not only deepens their trauma but also increases the likelihood of re-migration, feeding an endless cycle of displacement and despair.

“The plight of our diaspora is a mirror reflecting the failures of governance at home; we cannot fix one without addressing the other.”

The Haitian Pulse calls on government leaders to end this cycle of neglect. Protecting Haitians overseas requires:

The Haitian Pulse calls on government leaders to end this cycle of neglect. Protecting Haitians overseas requires:

• Serious diplomatic engagement with neighboring countries and international partners.

• Negotiated agreements that guarantee the humane treatment of Haitian migrants.

• Proactive communication with diaspora communities to understand their challenges and needs.

• Support for legal pathways that allow Haitians to live and work abroad safely.

Moreover, it is essential to address the root causes forcing migration by improving security, governance, and economic conditions inside Haiti.

“A nation’s strength is measured not only by the walls it builds but by how it protects its people beyond its borders.”

The Diaspora Is Haiti’s Strength

The Haitian diaspora has long been a critical pillar for our nation—economically, culturally, and politically. Their remittances sustain families, their voices amplify Haiti’s presence on the world stage, and their resilience embodies hope.

Ignoring their struggles abroad weakens our collective future. It is time for our leaders to step up with determination and accountability. The Haitian Pulse stands ready to hold those in power responsible and to amplify the stories of our people everywhere.

“The plight of our diaspora is a mirror reflecting the failures of governance at home; we cannot fix one without addressing the other.”

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