The United States has decided to take visa measures against Haiti citizens involved in criminal organizations like street gangs following the murder of 14 members of the National Police of Haiti in January this year.
The decision has been announced by the Department of State on February 17, which claims that the measure is intended to support Haitian citizens, by promoting accountability for violent and corrupt people, VisaGuide.World reports.
In a statement issued on the same date, the Department of State has revealed that it has imposed visa restrictions on five more individuals and seven family members under section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act.
“This policy impacts Haitian officials and other individuals involved in the operation of street gangs and criminal organizations that have threatened the livelihoods of the Haitian people and are blocking life-saving humanitarian support,” the DoS has announced.
Through this measure, the US intends to send a message to the street gangs and other criminal organizations in Haiti, that they are committed to eradicating corruption in the country and altering the behavior of individuals who engage in illegal actions, that contribute to the current disorderly situation in Haiti.
This means that now the number of Haitians subject to US visa measures has reached 44 since October 13, 2022, when the policy was first announced.
In addition, the Department of State has also imposed another visa restriction authority under Section 7031(c), including here for Joseph Lambert who served as the president of the Haitian Senate from 2021 to 2023 and Rommel Bell, former Director-General of the General Administration of Customs.
Whereas previously, in November and December 2022, the US had imposed both financial and visa restrictions on four Haitian individuals as follows:
Joseph Lambert – president of the Haitian Senate from 2021 to 2023
Youri LaTortue – president of the Senate from January 13, 2017 to January 9, 2018
Rony Celestin – senator
Herve Fourcand – former senator
“Rony Celestin and Richard Fourcand are two more examples of corrupt Haitian politicians abusing their power to further drug trafficking activities across the region,” had said at the time Brian E. Nelson, who serves as the US Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
A recent report by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner says that the Haitian capital has become “a living nightmare” for thousands due to the mass incidents of murder, gang rape and sniper attacks.
It also points out that between July 8 and December 31, 2022 gang violence resulted in 263 murders in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Cité Soleil, and at least 57 gang rapes of women and girls. On July 8 alone, gang members murdered 95 people, including six kids.
The post US to Impose Visa Restrictions on Haitians Involved in Street Gangs & Other Criminal Organizations appeared first on VisaGuide.World.
