The U.S. Special Envoy to Haiti Daniel Foote has resigned to protest the Biden administration’s deportation of thousands of Haitian migrants.
In his resignation letter dated Wednesday, Foote wrote, “With deep disappointment and apologies to those seeking crucial changes, I resign from my position as Special Envoy for Haiti, effective immediately.”
“I will not be associated with the United States inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs in control of daily life,” he continued.
Foote added, “Our policy approach to Haiti remains deeply flawed, and my recommendations have been ignored and dismissed when not edited to project a narrative different from my own.”
He went on to explain that residents of Haiti are “mired in poverty, hostage to the terror, kidnappings, robberies, and massacres of armed gangs and suffering of a corrupt government with gang alliances.” He argued that they “cannot support the forced infusion of thousands of returned migrants lacking food, shelter, and money without additional, avoidable human tragedy.”
Additionally, Foote said that the deportations would only lead to an even larger surge of migration to the southern border.
Read the statement below:
SCOOP: Special Envoy for Haiti, Amb Daniel Foote, a career member of foreign service, has RESIGNED. In his letter of resignation, he says he will not be associated with the U.S.'s "inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees." Letter attached. pic.twitter.com/KlW5GoTF3u
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) September 23, 2021
Foote also said that Haitians “need immediate assistance to restore the government’s ability to neutralize the gangs and restore order through the national police.”
“What our Haitians friends really want, and need, is the opportunity to chart their own course, without international puppeteering and favored candidates but with genuine support for that course. I do not believe Haiti can enjoy stability until her citizens have the dignity of truly choosing their own leaders fairly and acceptably,” he added.
While Foote criticized the administration’s deportations of Haitian migrants, Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich tweeted, “Senior U.S. officials tell me there were other reasons for his resignation, and his framing is inaccurate.”
Foote had been in his post for just two months – and had been pushing for inappropriate additional responsibility and oversight, says one senior State Dept official
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) September 23, 2021
Foote’s resignation comes as thousands of Haitian migrants have gathered at Del Rio, Texas, to seek asylum in the U.S.
As The Associated Press notes, the Biden administration has carried out “a massive effort to expel Haitians on flights under pandemic-related authority that denies migrants a chance to seek asylum.” According to the outlet, between Sunday and Tuesday, at least 713 migrants were flown back to Haiti.
However, one official told the AP that officials are releasing Haitian migrants into the U.S. with notices to appear at an immigration office within 60 days on a “very, very large scale.”