Florida Reps Warn Illegal Immigrants from Haiti Could Soon Storm Their Shores

Florida Representatives Issue Warning about Potential Influx of Illegal Immigrants from Haiti

March 13, 2024 TruthUSA

Reps. Matt Gaetz and Carlos Giménez are advocating for the activation of ‘maritime mass migration’ protocols to prevent Florida from being inundated with economic refugees.

The United States does not currently have any plans to send troops to Haiti amidst its descent into chaos. However, at present, there are also no plans to invoke the “maritime mass migration” protocol to allow the Coast Guard and Navy to intervene in illegal immigrant flotillas and return them to their point of origin or to a third-nation port.

During a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Western Hemisphere national security challenges held on March 12, Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Carlos Giménez (R-Fla.), the former Mayor of Miami-Dade County, raised concerns to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs, Rebecca Zimmerman, seeking clarification on the Pentagon’s Haiti contingency plans.

Mr. Gaetz expressed his apprehension about the potential influx of people from Haiti, noting that the current trickle leaving the island is expected to escalate in the coming weeks.

He highlighted that South Florida’s Broward and Palm Beach counties have historically been significant destinations for Haitian immigrants, many of whom enter illegally and remain concentrated in southeastern Florida.

As the situation in Haiti deteriorates, South Florida is preparing for an influx of refugees on its shores. Mr. Gaetz questioned whether the Department of Defense (DOD), State Department, and Homeland Defense are actively preparing for this impending wave of migrants.

Addressing Assistant Secretary Zimmerman, Mr. Gaetz inquired about the measures being taken to handle the anticipated surge and emphasized the importance of repatriating individuals to Port-au-Prince rather than allowing them into the United States.

Bush Executive Order Allows Navy to Interdict

Assistant Secretary Zimmerman explained that President George W. Bush’s executive order grants specific legal authority to designate and intervene in anticipated maritime mass migrations. This allows for the deployment of naval vessels to deter migration and intercept individuals before reaching Florida.

She mentioned recent enhancements to assist the Coast Guard and emphasized the importance of maintaining preparedness to address the evolving situation in Haiti.

With Haiti declaring a state of emergency amidst escalated violence between government forces and criminal groups, the situation remains volatile. Efforts to establish a U.N.-backed security mission in Haiti have been delayed due to internal legal disputes, further complicating the crisis.

Mr. Ariel’s announcement of resigning upon the establishment of a transitional presidential council has been supported by the United States and Canada, among other nations in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

As the situation in Haiti continues to worsen, CARICOM highlighted the severity of the conditions on the ground, underscoring the urgent need for international support.

Responding to concerns raised by Mr. Gaetz, Assistant Secretary Zimmerman acknowledged the potential for increased migration due to deteriorating conditions in Haiti.

U.S. Embassy families and workers are evacuated from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, by a U.S. Coast Guard cargo plane on Jan. 13, 2010. (Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images)

Request to Request

Mr. Gaetz consulted with Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, on activating authorities anticipating a mass migration event.

Gen. Richardson affirmed that preparations have been made to handle such scenarios, including conducting a contingency plan walkthrough in Guantanamo Bay. She expressed readiness to deploy naval vessels to prevent migrants from reaching Guantanamo and focus on repatriating them to Port-au-Prince.

Mr. Gaetz stressed the importance of proactively addressing the situation, emphasizing the necessity of appropriate actions to deter Haitians from attempting dangerous sea crossings to Florida.

Gen. Richardson committed to assessing the situation and coordinating with the Coast Guard to determine the need for deploying naval ships in the Florida Straits for intercept and repatriation purposes.

Expressing gratitude for the proactive approach, Mr. Gaetz underscored the significance of effective policies and interventions to ensure humanitarian conditions are maintained and discourage irregular migration.

Members of the General Security Unit of the National Palace, USGPN, set up a security perimeter around one of the three downtown stations after police fought off an attack by gangs the day before, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 9, 2024. (Odelyn Joseph/AP Photo)

No US Troops

Rep. Jan Kiggins (R-Va.) inquired about the possibility of sending U.S. troops to Haiti, to which Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot clarified that discussions were centered around enhancing security at the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince. He confirmed that there were no plans to deploy military forces to the region but reiterated support for multinational security missions in Haiti.

Despite potential naval and Coast Guard presence, Rep. Carlos Giménez emphasized the importance of effective policies in the region to address migration challenges.

He questioned Assistant Secretary Zimmerman about the Biden administration’s policies regarding mass migration from Haiti, seeking clarification on the repatriation process for intercepted individuals.

Assistant Secretary Zimmerman reiterated the commitment to repatriating individuals according to laws and policies. Rep. Giménez concluded by confirming that there have been no changes in the administration’s approach to repatriation procedures.

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