Human Rights Watch reports hardships for US deportees in Haiti

A new report from Human Rights Watch details the severe hardships faced by individuals deported from the United States to Haiti. Since July, the U.S. has deported more than 470 people, including some who previously held Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which had granted them legal residency and work authorization.

Due to extreme gang violence in Port-au-Prince, deportation flights are landing in Cap-Haitien instead of the capital's main airport. The influx of people has significantly strained local resources; the mayor of Cap-Haitien, Michel Saint-Croix, noted that the city's population has tripled to over 1 million in the last two years due to the arrival of deportees and those fleeing violence elsewhere in Haiti.

Human Rights Watch interviewed 44 deportees who reported being denied basic necessities such as food, water, and hygiene while in U.S. immigration detention. Additionally, many reported that their personal belongings, including money and official documents, were not returned to them upon arrival in Haiti. Haitian migration officials indicated that the U.S. government plans to continue flights, potentially sending up to two flights per week with approximately 200 people each.