September 22, 2021
Contact: Lauri Alvarez, Program Associate
lalvarez@lawg.org
LAWG Strongly Condemns Violent Treatment of Haitians at the U.S.-Mexico Border, Urges Humanitarian Solutions
Washington D.C. – The Latin America Working Group (LAWG) strongly condemns the violent treatment of Haitians at the U.S.-Mexico border. In the last few days the Biden Administration has responded to Haitian families, adults, and children currently at Del Rio, Texas by expelling them to Haiti under the Title 42 policy. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have also been seen using whips towards Haitians and utilizing racist and violent language. These deplorable actions come after many Haitians crossing into Mexico in their journey suffered serious human rights violations from Mexican migration enforcement and security forces, fueled by U.S. pressure to deter migration. Many come fleeing the impacts of the earthquake, pandemic and broader political instability in Haiti.
In response, the following is a statement by LAWG Co-director Daniella Burgi-Palomino:
“We are appalled by the cruel treatment we’ve seen from U.S. border officials towards Haitians along the U.S.-Mexico border. To expel Haitian families and adults back to a country suffering crisis on top of crisis, is unconscionable. It’s time to end Title 42, which a federal court has already ruled illegal. We urge the Biden Administration to halt removals of Haitians and instead use humanitarian parole to process them fairly, ensuring that all those who seek protection can do so humanely. We can do better as a country and extend a welcoming hand to our Haitian neighbors. This is not who we are. CBP must be held accountable for its violent actions on the border and there must be investigations into this unacceptable behavior.”
###
