"Refugee Deportation Measures Deemed Inhumane"… US Haiti Envoy Resigns

US Patrol Caught Whipping Haitian Refugees
Biden's Refugee Policy Under Fire... Criticism Growing

Daniel Foot, Special Envoy for Me IT

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The U.S. special envoy to Haiti resigned in protest, publicly denouncing the U.S. decision to deport refugees and immigrants as inhumane. With a senior U.S. diplomat openly criticizing the authorities' refugee policy, criticism of the Biden administration's refugee policy is expected to intensify.

According to major foreign media on the 23rd (local time), Daniel Foote, the U.S. special envoy to Haiti, stated in his resignation letter released that day, "I will not be involved in the U.S.'s inhumane and counterproductive decision to deport thousands of refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti."

He argued, "Our policy approach toward Haiti is deeply flawed, and my recommendations have been ignored and dismissed."

He went on to describe Haiti as a country collapsing into poverty and gang violence, warning that more refugees will flock to the U.S.

Previously, Haiti, already one of the poorest countries, has worsened due to recent events including the assassination of the president, successive earthquakes, and gang violence.

Meanwhile, U.S. authorities deported about 1,400 refugees from a refugee camp in Texas back to Haiti and refused to accept over 3,200 refugees.

Foote also expressed critical views regarding the U.S. government's support for Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

He said it reminded him of how the U.S. and other foreign governments have manipulated Haitian politics for decades, adding, "It is astonishing arrogance to believe that the U.S. can pick winners again."

The State Department immediately rebutted this criticism.

Ned Price, State Department spokesperson, issued a separate statement saying, "It is regrettable that Special Envoy Foote resigned instead of participating in seeking solutions and misrepresented the circumstances of his resignation," and criticized, "He had many opportunities to raise issues officially but did not utilize them."

It is unusual for Price to publicly criticize a senior diplomat.

Amid the Biden administration's refugee policy coming under scrutiny and growing criticism over a tough stance on illegal immigrants, analysts suggest this was intended to block further criticism.

Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), recently criticized the U.S. refugee deportation policy as potentially violating international law.

US Mounted Patrol Whips Haitian Refugees
[Photo by AFP]

Recently in the U.S., controversy grew after photos were released showing mounted border patrol agents swinging reins like whips to drive out Haitian refugees like cattle.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced it would reassign the agents captured in the photos to administrative departments and temporarily suspend mounted patrols in the Del Rio area of Texas, where the issue arose.

As refugee human rights issues continue to be raised, Foote's resignation has been interpreted by some as a 'rebellion' by a senior diplomat against U.S. refugee policy.

William O'Neill, a human rights attorney, evaluated, "His resignation is a very bold move and carries significant meaning."