Asian American groups condemn harsh treatment of Haitian refugees

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U.S. border agents rounding up Haitian refugees evoked images of capturing slaves.

The harsh treatment of Haitian refugees has Asian American immigration advocates wondering what happened to the humane immigration policies promised by President Biden during his 2020 presidential campaign.

The 15,000 Haitians living under a bridge in Del Rio, Texas, have resulted in one of the swiftest, large-scale expulsions of migrants and refugees from the United States in decades.

Disturbing images of Border Patrol agents on horseback blocking the migrants using reins to push them back towards the Rio Grande evoking images of slavery and caused Asian American immigration advocates to protest the treatment of the Haitians.

“It’s not enough to say that the images coming out of Texas are outrageous and cruel,” said OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates’ National President Linda Ng. “They also send a damaging message to the world that the United States will close its doors to asylum seekers instead of treating vulnerable families with dignity. The horrific mistreatment of Haitian migrants by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents represents a monumental failure that must be urgently investigated by DHS’s inspector general and Congress.”

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC issued the following statement:

“The mistreatment from the U.S. Border Patrol of Haitian migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border is reprehensible and grounded in white supremacy. These horrific actions are counter to our purported values of welcoming migrants with dignity.

"We condemn the unconscionable deportations of Haitian families without offering them the opportunity to file for asylum," the statement continuted. "Our country recognizes the rights of people to seek asylum or refugee status, and we must return to these fundamental American values. 

"Haitian children and families are dealing with multiple crises, from natural disasters and the ongoing pandemic to civil unrest. Haitian migrants are refugees and deserve better. Instead of abuse at the border, Haitians must be offered basic humanitarian aid of safe shelter, water, food, and health care.

"We urge the Biden Administration to act on their promises for a more humane system for asylum seekers and put an end to these deportations and violence at the border.

Central Americans have also crossed the border in large numbers but they were not subject to mass expulsion, nor as quick.

Some of the migrants at the Del Rio camp told journalists that the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise make them afraid to return to a country that seems more unstable than when they left.

“In Haiti, there is no security,” said Fabricio Jean, a 38-year-old Haitian who arrived in Texas with his wife and two daughters. “The country is in a political crisis.”

While the use of horses has been temporarily suspended. DHS said they were investigating potential misconduct and announced on Thursday.  An official said the agency is aiming to wrap up the investigation by the end of the week.

"What I saw depicted about those individuals on horseback, treating human beings the way they were, is horrible," said Vice President Kamala Harris. She told reporters that she supports the investigation.

However, Biden has been silent on the situation but the issue. Immigration has apparently split his advisors: Some say Biden should implement his more humane policies as it pertains to immigration. However, other advisors believe a more compassionate immigration policy will open him up to being soft at the U.S. border.

Biden's special envoy to Haiti quit in protest because of the treatment of the Haitians. "I will not be associated with the United States inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees," wrote Daniel Foote, tin his resignation letter. 

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