[Disclaimer] This article is reconstructed based on information from external sources. Please verify the original source before referring to this content.
News Summary
The following content was published online. A translated summary is presented below. See the source for details.
The United States Department of State announced on July 21, 2025, that it will pursue deportation proceedings against certain legal permanent residents (green card holders) who have supported or collaborated with leaders of Viv Ansanm, a Haitian gang officially designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that these individuals have been helping gang leaders connected to Viv Ansanm, which is considered a major driver of violence and instability in Haiti. The announcement emphasizes that people cannot maintain legal status in the United States while facilitating violent organizations or supporting terrorist groups. Under immigration law, the Department of Homeland Security can now work to remove these individuals from the country. This action is part of the Trump Administration’s broader efforts to protect American security and promote stability in the Caribbean region.
Source: U.S. Department of State
Our Commentary
Background and Context
Haiti has faced severe challenges with gang violence in recent years. Viv Ansanm (which means “Living Together” in Haitian Creole) is one of the most powerful gang alliances in Haiti, controlling significant portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Despite its peaceful-sounding name, this organization has been responsible for kidnappings, murders, and extortion that have paralyzed daily life for millions of Haitians.
The U.S. government designates certain groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) when they meet specific criteria: they must be foreign, engage in terrorist activities, and threaten U.S. security or citizens. This designation makes it illegal for anyone in the U.S. to provide support to these groups, including financial help, weapons, or other resources. Viv Ansanm received this designation due to its extreme violence and destabilizing effect on Haiti.
Expert Analysis
This action represents a significant use of immigration law for national security purposes. Legal permanent residents (green card holders) typically have strong protections against deportation, but supporting terrorist organizations is one of the specific grounds that can lead to removal proceedings. The government must prove that these individuals knowingly supported or collaborated with the terrorist organization.
The timing is significant as Haiti continues to struggle with a security crisis. Gang alliances like Viv Ansanm control an estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince and have made normal life impossible for residents. By targeting supporters in the United States, authorities aim to cut off resources and networks that help sustain these criminal organizations.
Additional Data and Fact Reinforcement
Haiti’s gang crisis by the numbers:
• Gang control: Estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince under gang influence
• Displaced persons: Over 700,000 Haitians internally displaced due to violence
• Kidnappings: More than 2,500 reported in 2024 (actual numbers likely higher)
• Economic impact: 50% of businesses closed due to insecurity
• Food insecurity: 5 million Haitians (nearly half the population) face acute hunger
The U.S. has significant Haitian diaspora communities, particularly in Florida, New York, and Massachusetts. While the vast majority are law-abiding residents who contribute positively to American society, authorities have identified specific individuals who maintain connections to criminal elements back home.
Related News
This announcement follows other recent U.S. actions regarding Haiti. In 2024, the U.S. supported a Kenya-led international security mission to help restore order in Haiti. The Biden administration had extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians already in the U.S., recognizing the dangerous conditions in their homeland.
The international community continues to struggle with how to help Haiti. The United Nations has called for urgent action, while regional organizations like CARICOM (Caribbean Community) work on diplomatic solutions. However, the power of gangs like Viv Ansanm makes any intervention extremely challenging.
Summary
The deportation action against Viv Ansanm supporters represents a targeted effort to disrupt international criminal networks while maintaining the integrity of the U.S. immigration system. By focusing on specific individuals who support terrorist organizations rather than broad communities, the government aims to enhance security without unfairly targeting the wider Haitian-American population. This case highlights how modern security challenges often cross borders, requiring coordinated responses that use various legal tools including immigration law.
Public Reaction
Haitian-American community leaders have expressed mixed reactions. Many support efforts to combat gang violence that has devastated their homeland, while others worry about potential profiling or misunderstanding of legitimate remittances sent to help struggling family members. Immigration advocates emphasize the importance of due process and ensuring that enforcement actions are based on solid evidence rather than assumptions or associations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)?
A: An FTO is a group officially designated by the U.S. State Department as engaging in terrorism that threatens American security. This designation makes it illegal to provide any support to the group and allows for various legal actions against supporters. Groups can be designated as FTOs whether they’re political, criminal, or ideological in nature.
Q: How is supporting a gang different from sending money to family?
A: Sending money to help family members with food, housing, or medical needs is legal and humanitarian. Supporting a gang means knowingly providing resources that help criminal activities like buying weapons, paying bribes, or funding operations. The key difference is the intent and knowledge that the support enables criminal activity.
Q: What happens to legal residents facing deportation?
A: They have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge where they can present their case and have legal representation. The government must prove its allegations. If ordered deported, they may appeal the decision. The process can take months or years, during which their status and ability to travel may be restricted.
