Exclusive Piece

As the U.S. shuts its doors, Haitians at home and abroad must confront the rising storm with unity, strategy, and collective power.

By The Haitian Pulse Editorial Team
Published: June 4, 2025

A New Era of Exclusion

On June 4, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a sweeping presidential proclamation, barring nationals from 12 countries—including Haiti—from entering the United States. Citing national security concerns and difficulties verifying identities, the ban is scheduled to take effect on June 9 and adds seven more countries to a list of partial restrictions.

The countries under full entry bans are: Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

The inclusion of Haiti—absent from Trump’s original 2017 travel ban—signals a dramatic shift in U.S. policy. Officials point to Haiti’s visa overstay rates and the lack of a central authority capable of providing identity verification and law enforcement data. But beyond bureaucratic metrics, this ban appears to reinforce a growing narrative of isolation toward a nation already on the brink.

The Human Cost of Political Calculus

This policy lands like a hammer on a country already crippled by political instability, deepening poverty, and rampant gang control over key areas of Port-au-Prince. In recent years, tens of thousands of Haitians have fled for survival—many seeking asylum in the U.S.

Now, their path to safety is sealed off. And while the current ban does not target remittances, many fear that may be next. Such a move would devastate Haiti, where remittances make up nearly 20% of the national GDP and serve as a primary lifeline for millions of families.

“This ban is about more than travel,” said one Haitian economist based in Miami. “It’s about cutting off hope, oxygen, and the only support system many Haitians have left.”

A Moment to Mobilize

While the proclamation delivers a painful blow, it must also serve as a wake-up call. Haiti cannot continue to rely on external systems that were never designed to sustain us. The burden of change now lies with us—both those on the ground and the vast Haitian diaspora.

Key Areas for Immediate Action:

1. Organize the Diaspora:
We must harness the full power of our global community—doctors, engineers, builders, teachers, creatives—to fund, lead, and implement solutions driven by Haitian priorities.

2. Strengthen Local Infrastructure:
Invest in institutions that work. Build decentralized networks of healthcare, education, and security that can operate even in zones beyond state control.

3. Create an Economic Lifeline:
Push forward with homegrown enterprises, cooperative farming, local manufacturing, and digital platforms that generate income independently of foreign aid.

4. Develop Strategic Communication Channels:
We need independent, Haitian-led media, research centers, and advocacy organizations that counter false narratives and influence global opinion with facts and dignity.

What Haitians Are Saying

The travel ban has sparked outrage, disbelief, and sorrow—but also fierce determination among Haitians worldwide.

“They want to erase us from the map. But we’ve survived worse, and we will rise. But only if we unite.”
— Jeanne-Marie G., Cap-Haïtien

“My brother was trying to bring our mother here for medical care. That dream is gone now. We have to fight for a better system at home because clearly, no one’s coming to save us.”
— Renel B., New Jersey

“This is the last alarm bell. We either build now or watch our country fall into the abyss.”
— Paul D., Atlanta-based community organizer

Looking Ahead: Between Collapse and Opportunity

The travel ban has forced Haiti into a painful yet necessary reflection. If doors abroad are closing, then windows at home must open—driven by our collective will. The path forward won’t be easy, but it is ours to define.

Let this be the moment we choose resilience over despair. Coordination over chaos. Ownership over dependency.

Join the Conversation

What do you think this ban means for Haiti? How can we respond as a nation and a diaspora? Your voice matters. Leave a comment below or tag us on social media using #HaitianPulse to share your thoughts.

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