DHS Bans Haitians from Applying for Low-Skilled Work Visa

On Wednesday night, Reuters reported that the order of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has removed Haiti from the list of countries whose citizens are permitted to apply for low-skilled work visas.

The explanation why such action has been taken by the DHS is “high levels of fraud and abuse” from Haitians that use the program and a “high rate of overstaying the terms” from the visa recipients.

According to the DHS report, in 2016 more than forty percent of Haitians have overstayed their Visa, which makes them illegal immigrants. The data also says that only a dozen immigrants from Haiti use H-2A and H-2B visas each year.

After the devastating earthquake in 2010 that left Haiti in ruins, the country was added to the list of nations whose citizens are eligible to apply for work visas.

According to Reuters, advocates of the program say the Trump administration has taken away a lifeline for struggling residents of the island nation. The founder of a Virginia firm that spearheaded the program Sarah Williamson told Reuters that “they’re just cutting off the most economically beneficial visa for the Haitian people.”

“Even though not many people have been able to avail themselves of it, it’s been hugely transformational for those who have participated,” she added.

This decision from the DHS comes as no surprise since last week, during an official Oval office meeting, President Trump made remarks that Haiti, as well as several African nations, are “shithole countries.”

Trump’s remarks were first reported by The Washington Post, making a lot of public figures from both parties criticize Trump, while Democrats called him racist.

Trump denied his comments and defended his relationship with Haiti and its people in a Reuters interview on Wednesday.

“I love the people. There’s a tremendous warmth, and they’re very hard-working people,” Trump told Reuters.

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