U.S. moves to oust residents supporting Haiti’s terrorist gang

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The U.S. Department of State has announced deportation proceedings against certain U.S. legal permanent residents found to have supported or collaborated with leaders of Viv Ansanm, a Haitian gang designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in May 2025.

The announcement, made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to national security and regional stability.

In a press statement, Rubio emphasized that Viv Ansanm, a coalition of gangs controlling much of Port-au-Prince, is a significant driver of violence and instability in Haiti.

“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,” Rubio stated.

The designation of Viv Ansanm as an FTO followed its coordinated attacks on critical infrastructure, including prisons and government buildings, contributing to Haiti’s ongoing crisis.

The Department of State’s determination enables the Department of Homeland Security to pursue the removal of these individuals under section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows for the deportation of non-citizens whose activities pose adverse foreign policy consequences. While the statement did not disclose the number or identities of those targeted, it marks a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to address affiliations with criminal organizations abroad.

This action aligns with broader Trump administration policies, including the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians and other groups, as well as the designation of several Latin American gangs, such as Tren de Aragua, as FTOs.

The move has sparked concerns among rights groups, who question the evidence used to identify affiliations and warn of potential impacts on humanitarian efforts in Haiti, where gang violence has displaced over one million people and caused thousands of deaths in 2025 alone.