Haitian Businessman and Former Presidential Candidate Reginald Boulos Arrested by ICE in Florida

On July 17, Pierre Reginald Boulos, a prominent Haitian businessman and former presidential candidate, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at his Palm Beach home in Florida, according to reporting from the Miami Herald’s Jacqueline Charles.

Boulos, 69, is an American-born physician and entrepreneur whose detention has made him one of the most high-profile Haitians targeted under the Trump-era immigration enforcement policies. These policies have escalated efforts to remove deportation protections for over half a million Haitians living in the United States.

The exact reason for Boulos’ detention remains unclear, but sources familiar with the situation suggest it may relate to alleged immigration violations—possibly tied to inconsistencies or omissions in past immigration applications. Boulos had previously renounced his U.S. citizenship to qualify for presidential candidacy in Haiti. However, he reportedly claimed permanent residency status more recently, raising questions about his current legal status. Due to processing backlogs, he has not yet appeared in ICE’s public detainee system.

Immigration court documents show that Boulos is scheduled for a hearing on July 31 in Miami. At this time, his case is listed as “pending,” and no criminal charges have been filed. According to the Herald, his arrest reflects a broader trend of increased scrutiny of Haitians entering or living in the U.S. Travelers arriving at Miami International Airport, for instance, have reported being questioned extensively and having their phones temporarily confiscated by federal agents.

Boulos remains a controversial figure in Haitian society. He is widely recognized for his influential role in business and politics. As the founder of the RBoulos Group, he helped build major enterprises like the Delimart supermarket chain and Autoplaza, while also securing large-scale equipment and construction contracts. Politically, Boulos was involved in the early 2000s effort to oust then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and later ran for president under the MTV Ayiti banner in 2021. His political and financial power has often drawn criticism, speculation, and conspiracy theories—though no legal charges have ever been formally brought against him in Haiti or the U.S.

Adding to the controversy are unconfirmed reports that have surfaced linking Boulos to the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse and alleged support of the armed group Viv Ansanm. The U.S. State Department officially designated Viv Ansanm a terrorist organization in May 2025. While no formal connection to Boulos has been established, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has publicly called for the removal of U.S. legal status from anyone supporting such groups, though he did not name specific individuals.

As the case unfolds, Boulos’ legal status and political ties are expected to draw increased attention both in the U.S. and Haiti. His upcoming immigration court hearing could be a pivotal moment in determining whether he will remain in the country—or face removal.