Trump administration targets Haitian gang affiliates for deportation

On July 22, 2025, the Trump administration announced plans to deport Haitian nationals with permanent resident status in the United States if they are suspected of supporting or collaborating with gangs designated as foreign terrorist organizations. This significant action was highlighted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that the involvement of these individuals poses serious foreign policy concerns. Although specific identities of those to be deported were not disclosed, it was noted that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had arrested Pierre Reginald Boulos, a Haitian national implicated in criminal activities contributing to instability in Haiti. Boulos had reportedly supported gang activity and was previously referred for prosecution by Haiti’s Fight Against Corruption unit for financial misconduct. This crackdown comes alongside a broader trend of tightening immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which aims to remove individuals legally residing in the U.S. if they have ties to criminal organizations. The urgency of these measures is underscored by the sharp increase in violence and unrest in Haiti, particularly following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Haiti is currently grappling with a severe security crisis, marked by rampant gang violence, famine-like conditions, and a high number of displacements. The United Nations reported alarming statistics, with nearly 5,000 Haitians killed due to violence, while armed groups control significant portions of Port-au-Prince. The U.S. government, in its efforts to stabilize conditions in Haiti, has intensified its immigration policies, particularly targeting groups that threaten to exacerbate the situation. The actions taken by the Trump administration reflect a shift in focus towards immigration enforcement as a means of addressing foreign instability, with the State Department having previously designated the Viv Ansanm gang as a terror organization. While the implications of these deportations and immigration policies remain to be seen, this development marks a crucial change in how the U.S. responds to ongoing crises in Haiti, particularly in relation to its diaspora residing in the United States.