Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) revealed he rescued a group of Americans from Haiti as the U.S. braces for a possible migrant influx from the crime-ravaged Caribbean nation.
The lawmaker announced he evacuated 10 Americans working at an orphanage in the capital of Port-au-Prince on Monday night amid the country’s worsening political, humanitarian, and security crisis.
“I am proud to report that my team and I were successful in evacuating and rescuing a trapped, and at risk group of Americans from ‘Have Faith Orphanage’ in Haiti” Mr. Mills posted on X.
“I have led missions to rescue Americans multiple times when Joe Biden has deserted them. There’s a clear pattern of abandonment!” the congressman said, citing Afghanistan in 2021, Israel in 2023, and now Haiti.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press briefing on Tuesday that he did not have a “firm number” of how many Americans are currently in Haiti trying to escape the violence and chaos.
The crisis in Haiti took a turn for the worse in late February when heavily armed gangs staged a massive jailbreak at two major prisons, freeing thousands of inmates. Gangs also burned down police stations and took control of the country’s only international airport. The recent violence led to a 72-hour state of emergency and curfew that was then extended till April 3.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday that the United States would contribute $300 million to a Kenyan-led multinational security mission to support Haiti amid the crisis.
According to the nongovernmental organization International Rescue Committee (IRC), Haiti has been identified as one of the countries most at risk of experiencing a worsening humanitarian crisis in 2024. The crisis was initially sparked by the assassination of President Jovenl Moise in 2021, which resulted in rampant violence against innocent civilians, the IRC says.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry was appointed prime minister following the assassination of the nation’s president. But Mr. Henry repeatedly delayed elections over the years, saying the nation’s security was the top priority. His decisions angered opposition leaders and protestors as Haiti has not held elections since 2016. On Monday, he announced in a video address that he would resign from his post after the country could establish a transitional presidential council. It remains unclear when that would happen.
Amid the ongoing political instability, the IRC says that Haiti saw more than 5,600 gang-related incidents, including 3,156 killings and 1,248 kidnappings during the first nine months of 2023.
“Haiti has been enduring a protracted humanitarian crisis and every few months, violence reaches new levels,” according to Serge Dalexis, head of the Haiti IRC
Meanwhile, roughly half the entire population of Haiti is in dire need of humanitarian assistance, according to the United Nations (UN).
Furthermore, the deteriorating conditions in Haiti have prompted major concerns in the United States.
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, Department of Defense officials testified that the United States could possibly see a mass migration from Haiti into the U.S. through Florida.
Rep. Matt Gaez (R-Fla.) pressed officials on what is being done to prepare for the migrant influx.
Rebecca Zimmerman, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security, said additional assistance has been provided to the U.S. Coast Guard, among other preparations.
“At the moment we have not yet seen large numbers, what we would characterize as a maritime mass migration, but we are alert to that possibility. I think you’re right that the driving conditions in Haiti could very well press more people, ” Ms. Zimmerman warned.
