Florida Gears up for Potential Surge in Migrants as More US Troops Head to Haiti

The U.S. is preparing for a potential surge in migrants seeking to escape the unrest in Haiti.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Wednesday that he has allocated significant resources to address the arrival of unauthorized vessels from countries like Haiti. In light of the deteriorating situation in Haiti, the governor has allocated additional resources to manage a potential large-scale migration to his state. This decision comes as Haitians aim to flee the escalating gang violence, political instability, and humanitarian crisis in their homeland.

“Given the circumstances in Haiti, I have instructed the Division of Emergency Management, the Florida State Guard, and state law enforcement agencies to deploy over 250 additional officers and soldiers, as well as over a dozen air and sea vessels to Florida’s southern coast to safeguard our state,” he shared on the social media platform X.

The governor also noted that no other state has provided as much support as Florida has to bolster the “under-resourced” interdiction efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard.

According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), nearly half of Haiti, including 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is controlled by heavily armed gangs.

The IRC stated that “Gangs in Haiti have been able to expand their control due to issues such as weak governance, corruption, and an overwhelmed police force.”

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To ensure the safety of the American embassy, the U.S. military has sent an elite team of marines. The U.S. Southern Command announced on Wednesday that its Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST) was deployed to enhance embassy security in the capital.

Following an initial airlift of nonessential personnel from the embassy on Sunday, the Pentagon has decided to double its funding for a multinational security support mission in Haiti, dedicating a total of $300 million to aid in reestablishing security.

“Haitians cannot wait any longer for a path to security, stability, and democracy,” Secretary of State Blinken mentioned on X.

The secretary expressed support for a “clear political transition plan, led by trusted representatives of Haitian society,” but the ongoing political instability in Haiti has persisted since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Prime Minister Ariel Henry has indicated his intention to step down once a presidential council is established, although the timeline for this remains uncertain.

In anticipation of a potential exodus of Haitian migrants fleeing the political turmoil and violence, officials are making preparations for the worsening conditions in Haiti.

The House Armed Services Committee conducted a hearing on the crisis on Tuesday.

During the hearing, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) advocated for a presidential executive order that would enable the Navy to intercept and repatriate migrants before they reach U.S. soil.

Department of Defense officials acknowledged the deteriorating situation in Haiti and the potential for an influx of migrants.

“We are ready to address a mass migration if necessary,” General Laura Richardson of the U.S. Southern Command informed the committee.