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Haiti 'Helpless' Without US Deportations, PM Says

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  Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, February 7th 2026 at 19:21 GMT by Fox News
      Locales: HAITI, UNITED STATES

Port-au-Prince, Haiti - February 8th, 2026 - In a stark admission highlighting the deeply intertwined, and often fraught, relationship between Haiti and the United States, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has stated his nation would be "helpless" without continued US deportation policies. The Prime Minister made the comments during a recent interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, revealing a reliance on the controversial practice of repatriating individuals deemed "criminal migrants" back to a country already reeling from political instability, gang violence, and a severe humanitarian crisis.

Henry's statement, while seemingly blunt, underscores the complex realities facing Haiti. The nation has been mired in crisis since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, an event that triggered a surge in gang activity and a dramatic breakdown of governance. Since then, Prime Minister Henry has struggled to maintain control, facing challenges from armed groups who control significant portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other key areas. These groups engage in widespread kidnapping, extortion, and violence, severely impacting daily life for ordinary Haitians.

The Prime Minister's reliance on US deportation policies isn't necessarily about a desire to punish individuals, but rather a desperate attempt to address a growing security threat within Haiti. The logic, as he presented it, is that removing those identified as criminals - a definition that remains subject to debate and scrutiny - alleviates pressure on already overwhelmed Haitian law enforcement and judicial systems. However, critics argue that deporting individuals to a country lacking the infrastructure to reintegrate them, or provide due process, simply exacerbates the existing problems.

The situation has drawn increasing attention and criticism of US migration policies, particularly concerning Haiti and other Caribbean nations. The Biden administration has faced significant backlash for its handling of Haitian migrants attempting to reach US shores, most notably in January 2026 when the Coast Guard returned hundreds of individuals to Haiti. These returns occurred despite warnings from human rights groups about the dangers awaiting them in a country where state protection is demonstrably weak.

Many progressive lawmakers and advocacy organizations are demanding the Biden administration designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS would provide a temporary reprieve from deportation for Haitian nationals already in the US, allowing them to live and work legally. Proponents argue that this is not only a humanitarian imperative but also a strategic one, as it would prevent the return of individuals into a volatile situation and allow them to contribute to the US economy. The refusal to grant TPS, they claim, is a form of tacit support for the status quo in Haiti - a status quo characterized by instability and suffering.

However, the debate extends beyond simply whether to grant TPS. Some analysts suggest that a long-term solution requires addressing the root causes of the crisis in Haiti. These include deep-seated poverty, lack of economic opportunity, corruption, and a history of political interference. Simply deporting individuals, or even granting temporary protection, fails to address these underlying issues.

Furthermore, the very definition of "criminal migrant" requires closer examination. Reports indicate that many of those being deported have committed minor offenses or have been caught up in the US immigration system due to administrative errors. Sending these individuals back to Haiti, where the judicial system is weak and corruption is rampant, raises serious concerns about due process and human rights. It also places a further strain on Haiti's limited resources.

The current situation is a complex web of political, economic, and humanitarian factors. While Prime Minister Henry's plea for continued deportation assistance reveals a desperate attempt to manage an internal crisis, it also highlights the need for a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to Haiti's challenges. The US, with its long history of involvement in the country, has a responsibility to move beyond short-term fixes and invest in long-term solutions that address the root causes of the instability and create a pathway towards a more secure and prosperous future for Haiti.