The U.S. government is intensifying efforts to deport lawful permanent residents believed to be supporting Viv Ansanm, a Haitian gang alliance recently designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The move follows growing concerns over the influence of gang-affiliated figures in the Haitian diaspora and their impact on U.S. foreign policy.
In a public statement this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the government has taken decisive actions against individuals whose presence and activities in the U.S. may pose “serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” While Rubio did not name specific individuals, the announcement came shortly after the Miami Herald reported the arrest of Haitian businessman and political figure Pierre Réginald Boulos by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to immigration court records and sources close to the investigation, Boulos was detained due to his alleged affiliations and is currently facing removal proceedings.
The crackdown is part of a broader effort to curtail the influence of Haitian nationals accused of aiding violent gangs, particularly those linked to Viv Ansanm, a group believed to be fueling widespread unrest and lawlessness in Haiti. The designation of Viv Ansanm as a Foreign Terrorist Organization enables U.S. authorities to pursue more aggressive legal action against its supporters, even those holding green cards or other legal status.
Over the past two weeks, several Haitian nationals have reported heightened scrutiny upon arrival at Miami International Airport. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have reportedly confiscated cellphones, reduced the duration of authorized stays, and in some instances, denied entry altogether. The Miami Herald cited sources saying that at least one Haitian businessman traveling from the Dominican Republic through Miami was immediately sent back without entry.
In his statement, Rubio emphasized the government’s position:
“The Department of State has determined that certain individuals with U.S. lawful permanent resident status have supported and collaborated with Haitian gang leaders connected to Viv Ansanm, a Haitian Foreign Terrorist Organization. Viv Ansanm is a driver of the violence and criminality in Haiti, contributing to the island’s instability. The United States will not allow individuals to enjoy the benefits of legal status in our country while they are facilitating the actions of violent organizations or supporting criminal terrorist organizations.”
The actions signal a firm stance from U.S. authorities amid Haiti’s deepening crisis. With the country under siege by armed gangs, many of which are believed to have international networks and financial backers abroad, U.S. officials are increasingly focused on severing the flow of support from diaspora communities.
While the State Department has not clarified whether further arrests or deportations are imminent, the situation marks a new phase in U.S.-Haiti relations—one in which lawful status in the U.S. will not shield individuals from consequences if found complicit in the region’s ongoing violence.
