The violence and unrest in Haiti have piqued concerns in the United States, both because many Americans remain trapped in the country and many of its people are expected to flee to the mainland. Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) recently wrote a letter calling for a Congressional policy hearing about the crisis, saying, "As one of Haiti's neighbors, the United States has a vested interest in promoting stability and improvements in the country."
The letter was posted by CBS Miami's Jim DeFede to X (formerly Twitter), who also noted that Rep. Moskowitz "is also asking the [State Department] on the number of Americans trapped in Haiti and how they are going to get them out. "
South Florida US Rep Jared Moskowitz @RepMoskowitz asking for a Congressional hearing on the chaos in Haiti. Moskowitz is also asking the @StateDept on the number of Americans trapped in Haiti and how they are going to get them out. @CBSMiami pic.twitter.com/foaNzfWX2Z
— Jim DeFede (@DeFede) March 13, 2024
Rep. Moskowitz described how Haiti has long grappled with "extreme poverty, political violence, and corruption that have only exacerbated the destruction left by multiple natural disasters." The ongoing gang violence against the government has only deepened the severity, with Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigning upon the creation of a transitional council and fleeing to Puerto Rico.
"Regrettably, I am deeply concerned that this continuing destabilization and its impact on the Haitian people is not receiving the attention it deserves," Moskowitz continued.
Hence, he called for a classified briefing on the situation and a subsequent hearing "so that we may have an open and honest conversation on how to support the Haitian people and protect democracy."
As mentioned, Moskowitz is also seeking answers from the State Department on how many Americans remain in Haiti and how the State Department planned to rescue them as the violence escalates.
However, Representative Cory Mills (R-FL), who had recently entered Haiti to rescue ten American orphanage workers personally, condemned the State Department and the Biden Administration as having no plans to rescue the remaining Americans, saying, "This is dereliction of duty at its finest. This is, again, the third time since Joe Biden has taken office, whether it's Afghanistan 2021, Israel 2023, or now Haiti 2024, where they could go over and help rescue or evacuate Americans because Biden's Administration is responsible for these failures, refused to do so."
Moreover, as the unrest continues, the United States has anticipated a surge in Haitians fleeing to the U.S., for which Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) recently pumped additional resources into protecting Florida from the expected arrival of thousands of migrants.
