US Entry Ban for Haitian Nationals: EDE Party Writes to US Department of State

The Haitian political party Les Engagés pour le Développement (EDE) strongly protests the US decision to ban Haitian nationals from entering its territory starting June 9, 2025. In a letter dated June 5, 2025, addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the party denounces a measure it considers unjust and fraught with serious consequences for Haiti, also calling for a revision or easing of this measure. Port-au-Prince– The Les Engagés pour le Développement (EDE) Party, led by Claude Joseph, President of the Strategic Council, and Claude Édouard, Secretary-General, sent an official letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on June 5, 2025. This correspondence calls for a revision of the measure prohibiting entry to the United States for Haitian nationals, effective from June 9, 2025. In this letter, EDE begins by commending the US decision to list the armed groups Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as terrorist organizations, recognizing the importance of this cooperation in the fight against crime in Haiti. However, the party strongly denounces the parallel decision to ban entry for nationals of twelve countries, including Haiti. This new instruction from the Trump administration, supposedly taken in the name of preserving US internal security, aims to keep nationals from countries where adequate screening measures for their citizens are not in place before their entry into the United States, outside US borders. While EDE understands the US desire to protect its national interests, it emphasizes that this measure risks exacerbating the difficulties already faced by Haiti, particularly isolation and a lack of international support. The party recalls that the current migration crisis is rooted in global imbalances and persistent economic injustices. It highlights the positive contribution of Haitians in the United States, who work in essential sectors such as healthcare, services, construction, and agriculture. Furthermore, financial remittances from the diaspora constitute a significant portion of the Haitian gross domestic product. EDE also calls for consideration of the historical and human dimension of relations between the two countries, recalling Haiti's role in the defeat of French troops in Saint-Domingue and the cession of Louisiana in 1803, an event that doubled the size of the United States. Given this situation, the party advocates for building bridges rather than walls. It calls for strengthening bilateral cooperation and considering historical reparations owed to Haiti, so that Haitians can live with dignity in their country without being forced into exile. EDE expresses the wish that this migratory measure be revised or eased, in order to protect law-abiding citizens, separated families, students, and professionals. However, it should be noted that Haiti's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted by requesting a dialogue. In contrast, Chad, which is on the blacklist, reacted with uproar by ceasing all visa issuance to American citizens as a reprisal. SW