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Reevaluating Global Approach Towards Mass Migration: The Case of Haiti

Millions are currently migrating across borders as their desperate plea of survival from political oppression, economic insecurity, and natural catastrophes. Haitian migration is another case of economic refugees departing their homeland in search of opportunities. Addressing the need for a 21st-century approach for economic refugees requires reevaluating the criteria in defining refugees, reevaluating on-site stricter corrupt resistant aid, and ensuring each individual their right to self-determination.

Haiti is profoundly known as the first black colonized territory to gain its independence in 1804. Its historical narrative consists of domestic and foreign conflicts that negatively impacted the growth and sustainability of its government. Eventually, these conflicts led to the mass migration of Haitians seeking refuge in neighboring and regional countries. Regional mass migration of citizens mirrors the underlying contributing factors, including economic and political instability, that encourage the exodus of migrants seen globally.

According to the 1951 United Nations Convention and the Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, a refugee is defined as, “Owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.”

The qualifications of refugees exclude “internally displaced persons, economic migrants, victims of natural disasters, and persons fleeing violent conflict but not subject to discrimination amounting to persecution.” The exclusions create a gap in protecting individuals who are victims of economic instability and natural disasters. Therefore, without the proper consideration of these additional circumstances, global actors fail to efficiently and effectively prevent and assist individuals who currently migrant under austere circumstances.

The dynamics of Haiti’s relations with peer Caribbean states and its relationship with the U.S. have indirectly impacted the economic advancements made by the Haitian government. As a result, the country has seen decades of stagnant productivity. Other concerns including the tragic earthquake of 2010 have forced thousands to be displaced regionally. Many were granted Temporary Protective Status (TPS), which gave natural disaster victims legal status to live and work within the U.S. However, President Donald Trump recently suspended the mandate of TPS, which terminated the legal status of approximately 60,000 Haitian citizens.

The “extraordinary conditions no longer exist,” claimed the Department of Homeland security.

Trump’s approach to incoming Haitian migrants rather differs from previous presidents, including President James Carter. The Carter administration was a light in the dimming chapter of Haitians citizen seeking access to the U.S. The policies created encouraged an influx of Haitian citizens, who were given access into the U.S. due to an admittance under the condition in which further actions were to be completed by the legislation. The result of this policy enabled thousands to receive working permits, which granted them the American Dream.

However, after the Carter administration, immigration policies towards Haitian refugees became strictly regulated. The Clinton administration acquired similar policies as preceding presidents, but soon had difficult with on-ship processing and creating safe zones. As a result, the Clinton administration sought to restore stability the Haitian government. The United States occupation of Haiti in 1994, halted the influx of Haitian refugees, but consequently it inflicted further harm to Haiti’s vital private industries, including agriculture and livestock.

The Obama administration suspended the deportation of Haitian refugees seeking asylum after the earthquake of 2010, but soon returned to the strict regulations of deportations and focused on threats to the U.S. national security.

As a result of economic limitations and political persecutions, mass migration of Haitian citizens is crossing into neighboring countries. Some Haitian migrants journey through eleven countries and settle in Tijuana, a Mexican city on the crest of the Mexican and U.S. boarder.

Unfortunately, Haitian migrants meet a number of challenges at the border including a large number of migrants of various nationalities seeking to enter the U.S. If not allowed into the U.S., some would settle and adapt in Mexico and others search for limited resources of humanitarian aid provided by local churches.

In addition to redefining conditions of seeking refugee status, the approach towards foreign aid should be of concern. Foreign aid is beneficial in the overall growth of a country that lacks resources. It assists in further development while building relations naturally.According to the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. has offered 1.5 billion for “post-disaster relief, long term-relief, reconstruction, and development recovery.” On the other hand, due to corruption and groups’ interest, countries that receive aid still find difficulty allocating resources.

International organizations and foreign countries issuing aid overlook the crippling consequences of corruption and the lack of infrastructure, which effects the allocation of aid.  Therefore, by reevaluating on-site corrupt resistant aid packages and conditions, the international community allows citizens of states receiving aid to truly have access to their right to self-determination.

In sum, the international community certainly has much to consider moving forward. By opening the discussion on how international actors approach the current migration crisis, the international community would be better equipped to prevent an ongoing wave of conflict.

Ruthly Cadestin is a UN Digital Representative for the Center for UN Studies and Global Governance. Currently, she is a second-year graduate student at the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University. She graduated from King’s College where she studied International Business with a focus on Economics and History. Her topics of interest are human rights, international law, and economic development, specifically human trafficking and labor rights.

 

 

 

 

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