U.S. Special Envoy to Haiti resigns, citing 'inhumane' deportation of Haitians

[brooklynite]

Source: PBS

U.S. Special Envoy for Haiti Daniel Foote resigned Thursday, saying that he did not want to be associated with what he called the United States’ “inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees” back to the island nation.

Foote’s resignation letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which was first obtained by the PBS NewsHour, comes as the Biden administration is facing widespread backlash over its treatment of Haitian migrants in Del Rio, Texas, where images of horseback border patrol agents using reins against migrants have sparked outrage. Activists and some lawmakers have also been calling for the Biden administration to suspend deportations to Haiti. In his letter, Foote criticizes the deportations.

“I will not be associated with the United States inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs in control of daily life,” Foote wrote in his resignation letter. “Our policy approach to Haïti remains deeply flawed, and my recommendations have been ignored and dismissed, when not edited to project a narrative different from my own.”

Read more: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-special-envoy-to-haiti-resigns-citing-inhumane-deportation-of-haitians

[JohnSJ]

1. There are complicated issues involved here

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that requires Biden to revive Trump's "remain in Mexico" immigration policy?

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-requires-biden-revive-trump-era-remain-mexico-immigration-2021-08-24/

A few months ago it was made clear that undocumented people should not come to the border, because they would be sent back.

In addition, there is also misinformation from various areas that have motivated these Haitian migrants to make the journey, thinking they would be accepted into the country without problems.

https://www.npr.org/2021/09/21/1039393860/misinformation-that-pushed-haitian-migrants-to-u-s-border-persists-amid-deportat

The issue that has caused concern, and rightfully so, is the treatment of the undocumented migrants,
.

[Lovie777]

2. They are complying with US SC . ...

but alas, the corporate media seems to ignore that ruling and of course constant bashing of Biden Administration trends. Facts be damned.

In the long run tho, Haitians, some, maybe be able to stay in the USA and the republicans who act like they care will again be pissed.

[JohnSJ]

3. It is unfortunate that the context or full story is rarely presented

As for much of the media, their credibility has been lost years ago when the intermingled opinion and news together in such a way where it becomes difficult to distinguish opinions from news

[Baitball Blogger]

5. All too true.

This is a mess. It really comes down to helping these countries take care of their own people. You know, like Idaho's people running to the state next door because their governor won't put money in their own health care.

[maxsolomon]

11. Aid to Haiti often goes into a black hole of graft.

How to actually help is a conundrum.

[bronxiteforever]

12. +1 exactly.

[Mersky]

13. +1

[Hortensis]

4. There certainly are. Our relations with Haiti's "government" itself

are not good. Whatever his instructions, Foote himself apparently got off on the wrong foot with Haiti's new leadership, which like the old government rejected overtures from the U.S. Perhaps Foote'll later tell us what recommendations he made to our government that were rejected.

What criteria are being used for allowing or sending back adult Haitians wasn't clear to a reporter on...CNN? last night. One man allowed to remain speculated that it was because he was going to a relative in NY.

A State Department statement emailed to VOA said Foote will lead "U.S. diplomatic efforts and coordinate the effort of U.S. federal agencies in Haiti from Washington, advise the secretary and acting assistant secretary for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, and coordinate closely with the National Security Council staff on the administration's efforts to support the Haitian people and Haiti's democratic institutions in the aftermath of the tragic assassination of (President) Jovenel Moise."

[Evolve Dammit]

6. One of Bill Clinton's biggest regrets was ruining Haiti. I feel for the people.

[maxsolomon]

9. Clinton "ruined" Haiti?

I'd been under the impression that Haiti has struggled with natural disasters, poverty, violence and authoritarian governments for decades.

[onetexan]

14. Yup was not pres Clinton's doing

US gives hundreds of millions to Haiti every year. Question is now how to get the funds into helping the ppl & not in politicians' pockets.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

22. I think they are talking about this

https://vimeo.com/154595060

[AZLD4Candidate]

16. Nice repeating of RW talking points used to attack HRC and Bill.

[Evolve Dammit]

18. Bill said it. I believe he meant it. It's a historical quote.

[cstanleytech]

8. If the problem is armed gangs and the Haitian government cannot

deal with it why not offer to help them by sending in some of our military for a year? Not a lot of them, maybe 500 to 2000 but enough to let them get a handle on the problem.

[druidity33]

10. Wasn't there an international UN presence

there for like decades? I seem to remember some issues about UN soldiers abusing the populace. I don't have time right now but i'll try and hunt up a link for later. Democracy Now! report maybe , now that i'm thinking about it...

[cstanleytech]

19. Still I cannot help but think that helping, not ruling but helping them stabilize their

country so they can get control of the situation to make life better and safer for the people of Haiti might be something to try.
That way it should reduce the number of people trying to flee to a somewhat safer country like to the US.

[druidity33]

20. worse than i thought?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_sexual_abuse_by_UN_peacekeepers

also there's this:

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/08/18/490468640/u-n-admits-role-in-haiti-cholera-outbreak-that-has-killed-thousands

It's just that i can understand how Haitians may be suspicious of ANY outside interference.

[cstanleytech]

21. There is a risk of them being exploited coming to the US by varies

people in the same if not worse manner.

[AZLD4Candidate]

15. The US Government has no problems and no issues separating American citizens from their

foreign spouses. Does Mr. Foote think the US Government cares about Haitian refugees?

[NQAS]

17. I kind of hoped...

That Biden would get control of the border patrol to stop them from treating people like animals. Sad to see he hasn’t.

Yes, this is big problem, and I don’t have the answers. I also don’t have the usg expertise at my command to come up with solutions. He does.

You know, it’s possible that in or lifetime it could very well be american refugees at others’ borders as climate refugees. Think about that.

Not really bashing Biden. He has had to confront more than any president before him thanks to TFG, an immovable extremist party across the aisle, growing domestic terrorist threat, the prospect of another 600,000 dead Americans in a year’s time, and more.