Florida lawmakers, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, are urging President Biden to take swift action in response to concerns about a possible mass migration of Haitians arriving in the United States by boats. This call for action comes after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis deployed additional personnel and aircraft to the state's coast.
A group of lawmakers, including Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Anna Paulina Luna, and Daniel Webster, have written to President Biden, requesting him to declare an 'anticipated mass migration of aliens en route to, or arriving off the coast of, the United States.' They emphasize the urgent need for an immediate federal response to address the situation.
The escalating violence in Haiti, with gangs taking control of the capital, burning police stations, and releasing thousands of inmates from prisons, has raised concerns about a potential wave of migration from the country. Governor DeSantis' recent deployment of additional National Guardsmen, law enforcement officers, and aircraft to the Florida coast reflects the state's proactive approach to the unrest in Haiti.
While government officials have not yet observed a mass migration event, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Rebecca Zimmerman acknowledged the possibility of increased migration due to the deteriorating conditions in Haiti. The Pentagon is on alert and has approved additional assistance for the Coast Guard to address any potential influx of migrants.
The lawmakers cite a 2002 order by former President George W. Bush as a precedent for utilizing Department of Defense vessels to intercept and repatriate Haitian migrants, aiming to minimize the financial burden on U.S. taxpayers. They argue that current resources may be insufficient to handle the anticipated mass migration effectively.
The Department of Homeland Security has assured that migration flows in the Caribbean remain low and reiterated the U.S. policy of repatriating noncitizens intercepted at sea to their countries of origin. The U.S. Coast Guard has already repatriated 131 migrants this fiscal year, with 65 migrants returned on Tuesday after being stopped near the Bahamas.
Despite these efforts, Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio have also reached out to President Biden, seeking clarity on the White House's plan to address the unrest in Haiti and prevent any negative impact on American families in Florida and across the country.
