At the joint initiative of the Black Student Union and the Belfer Center for Science and International Relations at Harvard University, a conference-debate was organized this Tuesday around the theme: “US-Haiti Relations: Analysis of US Foreign Policy in Haiti.”
The objective was to explore the disparities in the implementation of foreign policy and immigration policy of the United States in the world. Organizers also intended to comb through “the evolution of how the United States engages with Haiti and Haitians, both on the island and on American soil.”
Several prominent figures including Professor Robert Fatton and Miami Herald reporter Jacqueline Charles spoke at the event. The discussions were mainly focused on the migration policy of the United States towards Haiti.
During his presentation, Robert Fatton, professor of government and foreign affairs at the University of Virginia’s Department of Political Science, emphasized the cases of abuse to which Haitian migrants are systematically subjected by the American authorities. He also recalled how U.S. governments have used their health care system to discriminate against Haitian immigrants. As an example, he mentioned the use of HIV AIDS and Title 42 to keep Haitians seeking refuge in the United States at bay.
Professor Fatton also lamented that Joe Biden has deported more Haitian immigrants in one year than the last four U.S. presidents combined, despite the fact that the U.S. head of state had promised to positively change U.S. migration policy.
For his part, Miami Herald journalist Jacqueline Charles emphasized the deterioration of living conditions in Haiti. This has led to the emigration of more than 1% of the Haitian population to Chile alone.
The two panelists also mentioned the repeal next month of the health law commonly known as Title 42. A decision that will certainly not solve the discrimination faced by Haitian immigrants seeking asylum in the United States.