Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 3 mars 2026

Haitian political actors sign pact for stability and elections, approve Fils-Aimé’s leadership

The agreement, granting Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé the green light to lead Haiti’s transition without a president and a deadline, faces criticism as kidnappings and police casualties rise

by Juhakenson Blaise Feb. 24, 2026

Overview:

Haitian political parties and civil society groups signed the “National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections,” backing Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as head of a single-headed executive power. Supporters call it a step toward elections, while critics warn it lacks a clear end date and risks entrenching power. The signing coincided with a deadly kidnapping attempt in Delmas that left two suspects and one police officer dead.

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Several Haitian political leaders, representing major parties and civil society groups, confirmed Monday that they have signed an agreement recognizing Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as the sole executive head of the country’s transition.

The signing of the “National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections,” which occurred following closed-door negotiations on Feb. 21–22 at Hotel Ritz Kinam in Pétion-Ville, marks a new phase in the never-ending transition after the end of the Transitional Presidential Council’s mandate on Feb. 7. Although the government has yet to publish the final text, dozens of signatories have confirmed their support.

Among them are parties deeply involved in the crisis, such as former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s Fanmi Lavalas, the Parti Haïtien Tèt Kale (PHK) of former President Michel Martelly, Engaged for Development (EDE) led by former Prime Minister Claude Joseph, the December 21 Accord linked to former Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the platform Democratic Resistance (RED) of Renald Lubérice, a former advisor to the late President Jovenel Moïse.

“After discussions with Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, our group signed the Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections on Sunday at the Prime Minister’s Office,” said lawyer and political leader André Michel of the December 21 Agreement. “This is an act of responsibility to bring the political transition to an end.”

Former Prime Minister Jean‑Henry Céant wrote on X: “We signed because we are Renmen Ayiti [Love Haiti], apostles of dialogue,” referencing his party’s name.  “I confirm that, in keeping with its convictions, Renmen Ayiti has joined the various sectors that have expressed their commitment by signing the National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections.”

A transition without a clear deadline

According to draft provisions shared with participants, the pact empowers the Council of Ministers to govern from Feb. 7, 2026, until elections are held and newly elected officials are installed. It tasks the government with restoring security, organizing elections with the current Provisional Electoral Council and advancing constitutional reform, including a referendum to be held alongside the first round of voting.

The agreement does not set a firm end date for the transition.

It also outlines cooperation between national security forces and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2793 (2025), and calls for the reactivation of the National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantling and Reintegration.

Government officials who intend to run in the upcoming elections must resign within one month of signing, according to the pact.

Supporters describe the agreement as a pragmatic step toward restoring constitutional order after years of overlapping accords, rival power centers and stalled elections. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021, Haiti has cycled through competing transition frameworks, deepening mistrust among political actors and the public.

Critics warn of democratic backsliding as violence underscores urgency

Opposition groups argue the pact risks concentrating power in the prime minister’s office without sufficient checks.

The Pitit Dessalines party, led by former Sen. Moïse Jean-Charles, called the agreement a “blatant fraud that legalizes illegality” and criticized the absence of a defined term for the prime minister.

“Like Pétion [19th-century President Alexandre Pétion], a certain oligarchy is seeking to impose a shadow government,” said Jean-Charles in a statement on Sunday, Feb. 22.

“We warn against any attempt to legitimize this political farce, which is nothing more than an admission of democracy’s failure. This stillborn agreement cannot be endorsed by the international community without bringing shame upon it. Silence will no longer be an option, but complicity.”

Other critics say the open-ended timeline reflects a broader pattern in Haitian politics: power-sharing deals negotiated among elites while insecurity, corruption and impunity persist.

Meanwhile, clashes reportedly broke out during the signing ceremony, underscoring the divisions that continue to shape the country’s political landscape.

Hours after the signing, violence again highlighted the fragile security environment.

Early Monday, officers from the Haitian National Police (PNH) thwarted a kidnapping attempt between Delmas 31 and 33. Two suspected kidnappers were killed during a shootout, and two police officers later died from his injuries. Three residents were also wounded during the ordeal.

Authorities said the suspects wore uniforms resembling police attire and used a Nissan Patrol SUV later found riddled with bullets.

The incident followed another attempted kidnapping in Delmas 30 days earlier, also ending in fatalities.

Kidnappings, gang control of neighborhoods and attacks on police have intensified in recent months, even as authorities pledge to dismantle armed groups. More than 80% of Port-au-Prince remains under gang influence, and displacement continues to rise, according to humanitarian agencies.

The juxtaposition of political negotiations and deadly violence reflects Haiti’s broader crisis: a state struggling to reassert authority amid fragmented leadership, entrenched corruption allegations and armed groups that operate with near impunity.

Whether the new pact will break that cycle — or become another short-lived agreement in Haiti’s protracted transition — remains uncertain.

What we know about Haiti and the Epstein files so far

From “parking money” talks to a potential “down low” visit with Martelly, using the jet for earthquake aid to a Sean Penn benefit, emails show how Haiti orbited Jeffrey Epstein’s world

by The Haitian Times Feb. 27, 2026

Overview:

Court-released emails tied to Jeffrey Epstein reference Haiti more than 400 times. The Haitian Times has reviewed about 100 documents so far, revealing details about humanitarian aid flights, celebrity-studded philanthropic gestures, financial discussions and political monitoring between 2010 and 2016. This story is part of an ongoing reporting series.

Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing Haitian Times series examining how Haiti appears in the Epstein files. Haiti is mentioned more than 400 times across the released Epstein files. As we continue examining the records, we will publish additional reporting, context and analysis relevant to Haiti and the Haitian Diaspora.

NEW YORK —In court-released documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse of minors, Haiti appears in more than 400 records. So far, The Haitian Times has reviewed about 100 of those documents.

No Haitian officials or institutions currently face accusations of wrongdoing based on records released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in January. However, the documents reviewed so far show how Haiti figured into the philanthropic networks, financial interests and political maneuvering that surrounded Epstein between 2010 and 2016.

The DOJ released more than 3 million pages of documents, along with thousands of videos and images — a trove that will take months to fully review.

So far, here is what we know about Epstein and Haiti.

Epstein debated sharing jet for aid flights after 2010 earthquake

In the days following Haiti’s devastating earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010, Epstein’s chief pilot, Larry Visoski, received a request to use Epstein’s Gulfstream jet to deliver medical supplies, doctors and nurses to Haiti.

Epstein initially responded, “tell him we had a mechanical issue” according to the correspondence. Organizers emphasized that Epstein would receive media coverage and publicity for participating. 

In a separate exchange about the flights, he wrote, “I will do it, if we can protect the interior.” His team ultimately coordinated with organizers to secure landing slots and load the aircraft.

In March 2010, Epstein was also forwarded an email from the charity  CAREasking whether he or his contacts could provide a flight for former President Bill Clinton to travel to Haiti to meet with former President George W. Bush.

The emails do not indicate whether that flight took place.

Epstein saw Haiti as a potential place to ‘park money’ 

In 2011, Epstein was invited to meet Haiti’s president at the time, Michel Martelly. A July 2011 email shows Epstein discussing going to Port-au-Prince for a possible one-day visit — a “PERSONAL (no grants, no BMGF)” trip.  

In that exchange, Epstein also described the country as unstable, writing that amid global banking uncertainty, Haiti “just might be a safe place to park money.” 

Epstein saw Martelly as ‘hilarious, a realist’ while planning ‘down low’ trip

In the same 2011 exchange about a visit, Epstein described Martelly as hilarious and “a realist.”

“Steve and I (if we do it) will do this very quietly,” Epstein wrote in the email. He encouraged the recipient of the email, whose name is redacted, to “join us, on the down low.”

The emails do not say whether the visit occurred or any financial actions followed. If the trip did occur “quietly,” however, it is not clear in which records such information would be captured.  

Epstein bought $5,000 ticket to Sean Penn’s Haiti benefit in Cannes

In May 2012, publicist Peggy Siegal asked Epstein to purchase a $5,000 ticket for her to attend Sean Penn’s “Haiti: Carnival in Cannes” benefit. The fundraising dinner and party was set for the evening of May 18, 2012, at the Agora Pavilion in the French Riviera city.

Siegal wrote that if Epstein bought her the tax-deductible ticket, she could report on the event for The Huffington Post. She promised to write “whatever you want,” according to the emails.

Epstein agreed. His accountants and assistants coordinated a $5,000 wire transfer through an entity called Enhanced Education, a charity reportedly built to boost his image. Noting that $350 of the ticket price was non-deductible, the accounting correspondence detailed that the ticket included food, beverages and entertainment. 

Epstein foundation linked to building country’s “biggest school”

In 2012, Epstein received links to articles in The Wall Street Journal and The Telegraph about his largesse with Haitian groups. The articles described plans to build what was reported as the largest school in Haiti, with support from the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation, in partnership with the Edeyo Foundation. The Wall Street Journal article also mentioned a party promoter active in the Haitian Diaspora. The Haitian Times is withholding the individual’s name while seeking comment.

A school supplier later reached out offering to furnish the new school. That message was forwarded to Cecile de Jongh, the First Lady of the U.S. Virgin Islands at the time, according to the emails.

The documents reviewed so far do not detail the final status of the school project.

Epstein invited to Haiti-focused fundraisers post-earthquake

Epstein was on the mailing list for designer Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Foundation, which launched a “Hope Help & Rebuild Haiti” initiative after the 2010 earthquake.

Emails show he received invitations to “Haiti in the Hamptons” events and fundraising appeals, including requests for emergency relief support following Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

The correspondence reflects how Haiti remained central to high-profile philanthropic networks years after the earthquake.

Epstein updated on Haiti’s political and economic climate

In October 2012, Epstein received a “Regional Insights” report from the International Peace Institute discussing then-Prime Minister Laurent Lamothedeclaring Haiti “open for business.”

The report noted that Haiti remained vulnerable to political instability and faced an ongoing need to strengthen rule-of-law institutions.

The emails do not show direct policy involvement but indicate that Epstein tracked geopolitical developments in Haiti alongside philanthropic and financial conversations.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 12 février 2026

US extends Haiti HOPE and HELP trade programs through 2026

Retroactive extension restores preferential apparel access to the U.S., supporting tens of thousands of Haitian jobs

by The Haitian Times Feb. 06, 2026

Overview:

Congress has retroactively extended the Haiti HOPE and HELP trade preference programs through Dec. 31, 2026, restoring duty-free access for Haitian apparel exports to the United States and providing critical support to the country’s textile sector.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Congress has retroactively extended the Haiti HOPE and HELP trade preference programs, securing duty-free access for Haitian apparel exports through Dec. 31, 2026.

The programs, originally set to expire on Sept. 30, 2025, are vital to Haiti’s textile and apparel sector, which accounted for over 90% of the country’s export earnings as of 2020, according to the U.S. State Department. The retroactive extension also ensures that duties paid since the programs lapsed will be refunded to importers.

Bipartisan Legislation

H.R. 6504: HELP Extension Act

Passed House Jan 12, 2026 • Referred to Senate Finance

Extension Date Dec 31, 2028

Value Threshold 60%

Retroactive Clause: Covers entries made after Sept 30, 2025. Refunds must be requested within 180 days of enactment.

View Eligible Apparel Categories

Read Full Bill Text

The HOPE (Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement) and HELP (Haiti Economic Lift Program) Acts, enacted in 2006 and 2010, grant Haitian manufacturers preferential access to the U.S. apparel market, helping stabilize the sector and positioning Haiti as a co-production partner for American firms. According to the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), the programs have been “instrumental to the development of Haiti’s apparel sector” and have supported both U.S. and Haitian textile industries.

The extension comes as part of a broader $1.2 trillion appropriations bill, alongside a similar retroactive renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free access for eligible sub-Saharan African countries through Dec. 31, 2026. Duties paid during the lapse of AGOA will also be refunded.

Haiti’s apparel industry has long operated under fragile conditions. A 10% tariff announced on Caribbean imports, imposed in April 2025 by the Trump administration, threatened to destabilize one of the country’s few functioning economic sectors. Garment exports to the U.S. generated $844 million in 2023, making Haiti highly dependent on American demand, while imports of refined petroleum, rice, and cotton fabrics highlighted the country’s trade imbalance and deep reliance on U.S. markets. Without HOPE and HELP, experts warned, the apparel sector and the tens of thousands of jobs it supports could collapse.

Industry groups welcomed the retroactive extension but emphasized the need for proactive, long-term renewal. “While the retroactive passage supports the industry on time lost,” the AAFA said in a  statement, “ proactive and long-term renewal is what is needed for predictability, investment, and economic viability to support the U.S. jobs anchored by these programs.”

Now restored, the extension provides a limited window for meaningful reform before the programs’ next expiration in December 2026. Policymakers and trade associations underscore that securing a longer-term solution will be essential to maintain investment and ensure continued stability in Haiti’s apparel sector.

Haiti’s transitional council hands power to US-backed prime minister

Move comes after council tried to oust PM Fils-Aime and the US recently deployed warship to waters near Haiti’s capital.

Al Jazeera Staff

Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council has handed power to US-backed Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime after almost two years of tumultuous governance marked by rampant gang violence that has left thousands dead.

The transfer of power between the nine-member transitional council and 54-year-old businessman Fils-Aime took place on Saturday under tight security, given Haiti’s unstable political climate.

“Mr Prime Minister, in this historic moment, I know that you are gauging the depth of the responsibility you are taking on for the country,” council President Laurent Saint-Cyr told Fils-Aime, who is now the country’s only politician with executive power.

In late January, several members of the council said they were seeking to remove Fils-Aime, leading the United States to announce visa revocations for four unidentified council members and a cabinet minister.

Days before the council was dissolved, the US deployed a warship and two US coastguard boats to waters near Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, where gangs control 90 percent of the territory.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed “the importance” of Fils-Aime’s continued tenure “to combat terrorist gangs and stabilise the island”.

The council’s plan to oust Fils-Aime for reasons not made public appeared to fall to the wayside as it stepped down in an official ceremony on Saturday.

Fils-Aime now faces the daunting task of organising the first general elections in a decade.

Election this year unlikely

The Transitional Presidential Council was established in 2024 as the country’s top executive body, a response to a political crisis stretching back to the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

It quickly devolved into infighting, questions over its membership, and allegations of corruption falling overwhelmingly short of its mission to quell gang violence and improve life for Haitians.

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Just six months after being formed, the body removed Prime Minister Garry Conille, selecting Fils-Aime as his replacement.

Despite being tasked with developing a framework for federal elections, the council ended up postponing a planned series of votes that would have selected a new president by February.

Tentative dates were announced for August and December, but many believe it is unlikely an election and a run-off will be held this year.

Last year, gangs killed nearly 6,000 people in Haiti, according to the United Nations. About 1.4 million people, or 10 percent of the population, have been displaced by the violence.

The UN approved an international security force to help police restore security, but more than two years later, fewer than 1,000 of the intended troops – mostly Kenyan police – have been deployed. The UN says it aims to have 5,500 troops in the country by the middle of the year, or by November at the latest.

Warships boost US presence in Haiti ahead of key political deadline

Feb. 7 marks the end of the mandate for Haiti's nine-member Transitional Presidential Council.

Several U.S. warships deployed by the Trump administration arrived at the Bay of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, increasing global attention on Haiti during a volatile moment for its government.

According to U.S. Southern Command, the deployment of USS Stockdale, USCGC Stone, and USCGC Diligence comes under the direction of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, as part of "Operation Southern Spear," a U.S. military campaign aimed at targeting alleged drug traffickers across the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

The operation has already resulted in more than 100 deaths from boat strikes, with officials saying the goal is to curb organized crime and strengthen security in the region.

The government in Haiti is collapsing

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti described the arrival of the warships as reflecting America's "unwavering commitment to the security, stability, and a brighter future for the Republic of Haiti." While part of ongoing crime-fighting efforts, the move has also been interpreted as a strong message of support and a show of force amid escalating political tensions.

This week's developments come ahead of a critical deadline: February 7, which marks the end of the mandate for Haiti's nine-member Transitional Presidential Council. Tensions have risen steadily, especially since the council was recently hit with U.S. visa restrictions after voting to remove the current prime minister, defying calls from the U.S. government to maintain stability. 

Accusations by the U.S. against senior Haitian officials for allegedly supporting gangs have added to the country's instability. The U.S. Embassy on Wednesday publicly backed the current prime minister, saying it supports his "Prime Minister Fils-Aimè's leadership in building a strong, prosperous, and free Haiti.

New York shields Haitian TPS holders with legal, legislative and emotional help

State and city leaders roll out legal monitoring, new resources, and proposed legislation to support Haitians living under Temporary Protected Status

by Loretta Chin and  The Haitian Times Feb. 05, 2026

Overview:

As uncertainty continues over the future of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, New York State and City officials, joined by community leaders, are moving to protect affected residents from deportation through expanded legal support, legislative action and public resources. City officials are reaffirming sanctuary protections and access to health and emergency services regardless of immigration status, while connecting Haitian TPS holders with legal counsel and know-your-rights information.

BROOKLYN — In response to a community so stressed by the uncertainty surrounding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians  where  at least two people fearing immigration enforcement have died by suicide, New York state and city officials, in conjunction with community groups, are moving on multiple fronts to ensure affected residents have access to legal, health and emotional support. 

From City Hall to Albany to Washington, leaders said at a news conference on Wednesday and through press statements that they are determined to protect Haitian TPS holders from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents — while pursuing legal and legislative paths to make the immigrants’ status permanent.

“You are not alone,” said NYC Councilmember Farah Louis, echoing a key message heard during the press conference.“Do not self-deport and do not have fear.”

Louis, who relayed news of the suicides, and other leaders held the news conference two days after a federal judge stopped the termination of the Haiti TPS program that has allowed about 350,000 Haitians to live and work legally in the U.S., while litigation is pending. Though the judge’s decision provides sole relief, many new questions have been raised and people continue to fear ICE. 

Inside Life of Hope’s offices in East Flatbush Wednesday, the speakers brought with them an array of brochures and fliers with the names and contact information for various city- and state-sponsored programs. They urged families to seek help from organizations, for everything from filing documents to grant guardianship if parents and their children were to be separated and protecting financial assets such as their business bank accounts in case of deportation.

Nadine, a Haitian TPS holder who was listening to the speakers, shared that she was wondering if her status is sufficient to work. The Haitian Times is withholding Nadine’s last name to avoid adversely affecting her immigration case. 

“I need to go to work and I don’t know what to do,” she said. She learned about the resources available to her during the 2-hour event.

City pushes immigrant help hotline, other resources 

In New York City, officials are emphasizing that sanctuary city laws remain in effect, even amid heightened federal immigration enforcement activity. Manuel Castro, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), said Haitian TPS holders and other immigrants can continue to access essential services without fear. 

“People have access to services regardless of immigration status,” Castro said in an interview with The Haitian Times after the event. “They should continue to access health services, our local hospital system, call 911, and use any other city services without fear of deportation.

“We’re reaching out to lawyers so people know what to do if they’re confronted by an ICE agent,” Castro added. “They have a lot of rights, and people need individualized guidance, not rumors or bad advice.”

Castro acknowledged, however, that sanctuary laws do not prevent Immigration and ICE from operating in the city. As reports of increased ICE presence circulate, MOIA has focused on education and preparedness, connecting residents with attorneys and know-your-rights information.

To reach immigrants who may not be connected to advocacy groups or elected officials, the city has expanded partnerships with nonprofits such as HAUP and Life of Hope and public institutions, including the New York City Public Library. English and language classes offered at more than 60 library branches also serve as points of information sharing. 

Citywide, residents can call 311 to access immigration-related guidance and referrals.

In all, the show of support emphasizes Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s message to Haitians on Monday that he stands with the community.

The borough presidents of Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens sent a joint letter this week urging Albany to pass the New York For All Act and the Access to Representation Act, which would limit cooperation with ICE and guarantee legal representation for immigrants facing deportation. 

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called for congressional action during his remarks on Wednesday. “Should the conditions of the country where you are coming from not improve, we should have a path to legal citizenship for those on TPS,” he said. 

State officials launch ICE observation unit

At the state level, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the launch of the Legal Observation Project, a new initiative designed to monitor and document federal immigration enforcement activity across New York. The initiative will deploy trained legal observers to locations where enforcement actions or related protests are reported, serving as neutral witnesses and preserving information that could inform future legal action.

James is also urging New Yorkers to submit videos or documentation of immigration enforcement activity through a secure online portal, adding another layer of oversight and support for impacted communities.

Meanwhile, pressure is building in Albany to pass legislation that would further limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and guarantee legal representation for immigrants facing deportation with the New York For All Act and the Access to Representation Act.

Seeking permanence and stability in DC

At the federal level, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer pointed to a recent court decision blocking the Trump administration’s effort to end TPS for Haitians as only a temporary reprieve. He reiterated his support for the SECURE Act, which would allow long-term TPS holders to apply for permanent legal status.

“Haiti is still dangerous and unstable,” Schumer said in a statement to The Haitian Times. “We must do more to oppose this administration while they continue to target and attack our neighbors. Until Haitians can return home safely and the gangs’ reign of terror subsides, I will keep fighting to allow them to remain here out of harm’s way.”

For city and state officials, the message is consistent: while courts and Congress debate the future of TPS, New York is stepping up with resources, legal protections, and public support to help Haitian families weather the uncertainty—and to make clear they are not facing it alone.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 8 février 2026

Jacmel kicks off Carnival 2026, reaffirming its role as Haiti’s cultural vanguard | PHOTOS

As national carnival plans remain uncertain amid divided opinions, the southeastern city launches festivities early with music, dance and visual spectacle

by Danise Davide Lejustal Jan. 20, 2026

THE HAITIAN TIMES

JACMEL — While uncertainty continues to surround the organization of Haiti’s national carnival, Jacmel—a southeastern city known for its cultural and artistic vibrancy and tourist attractions—moved decisively to claim the cultural spotlight.

On Sunday, Jan. 18, Jacmel became one of the first cities in the country to officially launch the 2026 carnival season, drawing thousands of residents and visitors into the streets for a day of music, dance and visual spectacle under the theme “Jacmel in Our Dreams.”

The launch followed a Jan. 8 announcement by the Ministry of Culture and Communication (MCC) designating Jan. 18 as the start of the national carnival season. While many Haitians have debated whether the crisis-stricken country should celebrate Carnival, in Jacmel, however, the festivities took on added symbolic weight, reinforcing the city’s long-standing reputation as Haiti’s artistic and cultural capital.

Local and judicial authorities, representatives of the Haitian National Police, departmental officials, civil society leaders and well-known carnival organizing figures attended the opening ceremony, signaling broad institutional support for the event.

Baranquilla Avenue served as the epicenter of the celebration, transformed into a vast public stage. Dance groups and marching bands, alongside rope-throwing troupes, paraded through the corridor, including Paj d’Art, Explosion, Grand Soleil, Asotò, Fresh Style, Show Biz and Dolphins.

DJ-led music sets kept the crowds moving well into the afternoon, as revelers danced, filmed performances, and filled sidewalks and balconies. The festivities continued until about 5 p.m., with a festive yet orderly atmosphere.

Jacmel was among the first cities to officially launch Haiti’s 2026 carnival season, as thousands filled the streets on Sunday, Jan. 18, to watch cultural performances and dance to music spun by DJs, particularly along Baranquilla Avenue. Video by Danise Davide Lejustal for The Haitian Times.

Jacmel’s early start stands in contrast to the national debate surrounding Carnival 2026, particularly concerns over security, logistics and funding in Port-au-Prince. While authorities have yet to disclose details about the national carnival’s host city or budget, Jacmel has already laid out a clear cultural calendar.

City officials say celebrations will continue every weekend through Feb. 17, culminating in the traditional carnival days, offering residents and visitors a sustained series of artistic encounters.

“The 2026 Carnival will be an artistic journey,” Mayor Louise César said, “where masks, costumes, music and choreography bring to life the Jacmel of our dreams.”

The following images capture moments from Jacmel’s Carnival 2026 launch — scenes of movement, color and collective joy — as the city once again turns imagination into public celebration.

Haitians Are Vital to U.S. Health Care. Many Are About to Lose Their Right to Work.

Haitians are a vital source of employees for health care providers in many communities. The Trump administration is removing legal status next month for 330,000 of them.

Jan. 29, 2026, 5:00 a.m. ET

By Miriam Jordan

Miriam Jordan is a national immigration correspondent.

Vilbrun Dorsainvil was a physician in his native Haiti, but after fleeing his troubled country he couldn’t practice when he arrived in the United States. Determined to stay in medicine, he retrained as a registered nurse and now works in the cardiac unit of the only hospital in Springfield, Ohio, a city grappling with a shortage of health care workers.

He monitors patients after procedures, administers medication and comforts families during difficult moments. “Being in health care was my dream,” said Mr. Dorsainvil, 35, who came to the United States five years ago. “It hurt a little not to practice as a physician, but I was blessed that I could stay in health care.”

That blessing has an expiration date. On Feb. 3, Mr. Dorsainvil and more than 330,000 other Haitians in the United States could lose their right to work here, potentially destabilizing the health care industry in places like Springfield, where a large influx of Haitian immigrants has settled in recent years and helped fill critical health care roles.

Mr. Dorsainvil lives in the United States under a legal designation called Temporary Protected Status, which can be provided by the U.S. government to people from countries experiencing armed conflict or natural disasters. The protection allows those already in the United States to remain for a specific period of time, and it can be renewed if the U.S. government considers conditions in the country unsafe for people to return.

Haitians have been eligible for T.P.S. since an earthquake devastated the country in 2010, and the protection has been renewed because of other crises. But the Trump administration announced last year that it was terminating the status for several countries, including Afghanistan, Venezuela and Haiti.

By seeking to end T.P.S. for Haitians and many other foreign nationals, the Department of Homeland Security is vastly expanding the number of people who could be expelled from the country as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign. Officials have argued that T.P.S. was intended to offer only temporary relief but has become an indefinite benefit for tens of thousands of people.

Mr. Dorsainvil is one of several health care workers named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking to preserve the protected status for Haitians.

Rulings are expected in a matter of days in two lawsuits, including Mr. Dorsainvil’s, contesting the termination of T.P.S. for Haitians. Yet, even a favorable decision may offer little relief; the Trump administration is expected to appeal immediately, prolonging the uncertainty for both Haitian workers and their employers.

At least 50,000 migrants with protected status work in health care, an industry struggling to fill positions in small cities and rural areas as an aging America requires more long-term care. The industry also continues to recover from the strains created by the coronavirus pandemic, when nursing homes and senior residential facilities shed more than 400,000 employees.

A Haitian family sought help obtaining passports and documents at the St. Vincent de Paul center in Springfield. Many Haitians will have to leave the country if their Temporary Protect Status expires. Maddie McGarvey for The New York Times

People from Haiti are a particularly familiar presence in hospitals, clinics and nursing homes in states with large Haitian communities, including Florida, New York and Massachusetts. Haitians filled about 111,000 health care positions in the United States in 2023, according to an analysis of census data by the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank.

“In a health care system facing so many disruptions, it’s shortsighted to make such policy changes” that further erode care, said Leah Masselink, an associate professor of health policy management at George Washington University. “These immigrants are highly qualified, and in positions that are hard to fill.”

Rachel Blumberg, who runs a senior care center in Boca Raton, Fla., said she was bracing for the loss of 30 Haitian employees with Temporary Protected Status who would have to be let go and could be immediately deported.

“These are individuals who have been with us five, six, seven, 10 years,” said Ms. Blumberg, chief executive of Toby & Leon Cooperman Mount Sinai Residences. “They do work that many Americans won’t do.”

“I can’t replace the relationship they have with our residents,” she added.

Asked about the health care industry’s fears of worker shortages, Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, dismissed the concerns. Vice President JD Vance and Stephen Miller, the architect of the administration’s immigration policy, have said that foreign workers displace Americans and undercut their wages, which has been contested by economists whose research shows that in many industries, immigrants fill labor gaps.

In Springfield, a city of about 58,000 between Dayton and Columbus, the stakes are high.

Over the last several years, more than 10,000 Haitians have settled there, drawn by jobs in warehouses, auto-parts factories and the health care sector. They work at the hospital and the community clinic and as caregivers for seniors in a county that has been consistently rated as underserved by the federal government. 

“These folks are filling jobs that are some of the hardest for us to keep staffed,” said Chris Cook, the health commissioner for Clark County, which includes Springfield.

Mr. Dorsainvil entered the United States with a tourist visa in early 2021 and settled in Springfield. When the Biden administration granted Temporary Protected Status to Haitians in May of that year, the status allowed him to enroll in a local college to pursue a nursing degree. While studying, he worked weekend shifts at an Amazon warehouse and part time as a nursing assistant at the Springfield Regional Medical Center.

Since earning his degree last year, he has worked 13-hour shifts at the hospital, where he cares for up to 50 patients a week. Last year, he bought a duplex that he shares with his brother and two cousins, all from Haiti.

Thomas Hupman, who was born and raised in Springfield, helped train Mr. Dorsainvil and said it would be a “tremendous loss” for the hospital if he had to go. “Vilbrun has knowledge and compassion, and no task is beneath him,” said Mr. Hupman, 31, who is also a registered nurse. “He is there for the patients.”

Successive administrations have granted protected status to Haitians since the 2010 earthquake, which was estimated to have killed some 300,000 people. More recently, tens of thousands fled the Caribbean nation after the 2021 assassination of the last elected president. The ensuing crisis has fueled widespread gang violence, forced residents from their homes and led to hunger.

Mr. Dorsainvil said he never planned to stay in the United States forever. He has a daughter back home who was born shortly after he fled and is now 5. “Leaving Haiti was the hardest decision,” he said. “I told myself it’s not going to be for long.”

He said he was followed by armed men and repeatedly threatened because of his family’s political opposition and his own vocal criticism of mismanagement within Haiti’s health care system. In a written declaration filed as part of his lawsuit over T.P.S., he said that several of his brothers had gone into hiding or fled Haiti after being attacked and imprisoned.

“If my country is safe enough,” he said, “with a president in office doing the right thing, I will go back.”

Miriam Jordan reports from a grass roots perspective on immigrants and their impact on the demographics, society and economy of the United States.

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Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 21 janvier 2026

What we’re paying attention to in 2026: NYC’s Haitian politicos, deportations, Haiti’s elections and more

From power dynamics in New York to expiring immigration protections and digital disruptions, here’s what’s on The Haitian Times’ radar this year

by Vania André,  Simon Feisthauer Fournet,  Macollvie J. Neel and  Fritznel D. Octave Jan.

THE HAITIAN TIMES 05, 2026

As the new year begins, The Haitian Times shares what’s top of mind in 2026 — across the U.S., Haiti and the diaspora.

A new year always brings a mix of urgency and reflection— and 2026 is no exception. At The Haitian Times, we’ve taken stock of what feels most pressing across our communities, from local politics in New York to political upheaval in Haiti and the global shifts in between. 

Here’s what’s top of mind for us this year.

The fate of TPS and what happens after Feb. 3

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians is currently set to expire on Feb. 3. The looming deadline has created uncertainty for thousands who have lived, worked and raised families in the U.S. for decades. Whether the administration enforces deportations or offers an extension could set the tone for immigration policy during this election year — and shape the lives of countless Haitian households.

Springfield, Ohio — what one community’s response might signal

In Springfield, the city thrust into the national spotlight over false claims about its Haitian population, the end of TPS may have immediate consequences. How employers, churches and Haitian community leaders there respond may provide an early glimpse of how other towns across the country navigate life after legal protections are shut down.

In New York, a new mayor — and familiar questions

With Zohran Mamdani now mayor of New York City, the local political landscape has shifted toward more progressivism under the Democratic Socialist. Six known Haitian Americans were named to his transition team — a level of representation rarely seen, at least publicly. Whether that visibility turns into real influence remains to be determined, particularly on issues like affordable housing, small business support, nonprofit sustainability and immigration protections that directly impact Haitian New Yorkers.

At the same time, political power structures within enclaves like Brooklyn, Queens — and Long Island, albeit outside the city’s borders — continue to evolve. Longtime civic leaders, church networks and neighborhood organizers who are traditional Democrats still play central roles. How these grassroots institutions engage with — or push against — City Hall’s progressive will be worth watching.

Trump’s Corollary

Donald Trump’s presidency carries broad implications for the Western Hemisphere as he moves to “reassert and enforce the Monroe Doctrine to restore American preeminence” in the region. Such an aggressive posture toward Latin America and the Caribbean, under the banner of “commercial diplomacy” and allegedly halting drug trafficking, could bring new tariffs, migration quotas and military pressure across the region. 

“This is the Western Hemisphere. This is where we live — and we’re not going to allow the Western Hemisphere to be a base of operation for adversaries, competitors, and rivals of the United States,” Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, said after the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Already in the new year, Trump removed Maduro in an overnight raid of Caracas and announced that oil companies will run the country, triggering calls of condemnation from other countries and world bodies. Such actions could further destabilize Haiti if long-present income inequality tensions and gang violence were to escalate, particularly among economic elites who may seek deals to protect their interests.

Security and elections in Haiti?

Talk of elections continues, with the first round scheduled for Aug. 30, but deep skepticism remains. Conditions on the ground, the role or fate of the transitional council—whose mandate is set to expire on Feb. 7— the deployment of international security forces and the availability of funding will determine whether any vote is feasible or legitimate. For now, the Haitian public appears cautious, waiting for signs that this time will be different.

Rising health care costs for working families

Federal policy changes are driving up the cost of health care for many. The rollback of premium subsidies has hit families relying on ACA and Medicare Advantage plans especially hard, including many in the Haitian American community. Between housing costs and inflation, this added financial strain is already being felt.

Climate vulnerability — and the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa

Climate change remains a constant undercurrent, particularly for Haitians in areas vulnerable to flooding, hurricanes and extreme heat. Last year’s Hurricane Melissa showed again how quickly disaster can strike and how unprepared much of the region remains. Climate will continue to impact infrastructure, agriculture, migration and public health.

Digital opportunity — and digital exploitation

The digital economy is transforming Haitian life in real time. Content creation, AI tools and remote work platforms are creating new income streams for some. But they’re also enabling the spread of misinformation, exploitation of cultural identity and widening inequalities. 

Haitian American political identity heading into midterms

With midterm elections later this year, Haitian American voters are reassessing their political identities. Long loyal to the Democratic Party, many  began expressing frustration during the 2024 elections at the lack of tangible gains and loss of immigration protections. Now, many also question whether Haitian American elected officials can wield real influence, particularly with scandals associated with the most high-profile among them erupting.

In states like New York and Florida, where Haitian communities have built deep electoral power, these questions feel especially urgent. The role of church-based organizing, local advocacy, and shifting generational priorities may reshape how Haitian voters engage in 2026, and with whom.

High-profile criminal, civil and immigration cases

Several high-profile criminal, civil and immigration cases involving Haitians are also shaping public attention this year. In Florida, media personality Carel Pedrewas placed in ICE custody after a misdemeanor domestic violence arrest, triggering a #FreeCarel campaign as details of his immigration case remain undisclosed.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick, the first Haitian American woman elected to Congress, faces federal charges alleging fraud, money laundering and campaign finance violations tied to pandemic relief funds — allegations she denies.

In Colorado, more than 1,000 Haitian workers have filed a class action lawsuitagainst meatpacking giant JBS, alleging deceptive recruitment via TikTok, discriminatory treatment, unsafe working conditions and exploitative housing at the company’s Greeley plant — with TPS expiration threatening to derail their claims.

Legal scrutiny has also reached the cultural sphere and oligarchy. Haitian music veteran Fabrice Rouzier has sued Joé Dwèt Filé and collaborators over copyright claims tied to the global hit 4 Kampé, while business figures Reginald Boulos and Dimitri Vorbe were detained in the U.S. amid immigration fraud allegations and accusations of backing armed groups in Haiti. 

Together, these cases reflect heightened legal exposure across Haitian public life.

The World Cup

And finally, but not least, a global celebration. With the 2026 FIFA World Cuphosted in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Haitians in the diaspora are already preparing to gather, cheer and celebrate Les Grenadiers against Scotland, Brazil and Morocco this summer. Whether at watch parties, the stadium stands or their living rooms, the matches are a welcome moment of joy and connection in a heavy year—regardless of sporting results in the end.

US will not process visas from 75 countries including Caribbean region

Take note that the United States has just announced it will halt processing of all immigrant visas from 75 countries until such time as  “The freeze will remain active until the US can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people,” the statement continued. “We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused.”

This new measure comes after the complete or partial ban on visas for tourism, business, etc to nationals of 39 countries, most of which find themselves on the new list.

Among the countries from which immigrants will be barred are the following from the Caribbean region:

Antigua and Barbuda

Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Cuba

Dominica

Grenada

Haiti

Jamaica

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Caribbean countries that have not been barred:

Dominican Republic

Guyana

Trinidad and Tobago.

The Forgotten Occupation’ opens in Los Angeles, explores Haiti’s US occupation

Documentary by Haitian filmmaker Alain Martin and executive producer Roxane Gay explores legacy of U.S. occupation in Haiti

by The Haitian Times Jan. 14, 2026

Overview:

The Forgotten Occupation, a documentary on the U.S. occupation of Haiti, will make its Los Angeles premiere with a special one-week run in Beverly Hills. The film, by Alain Martin and Roxane Gay, blends personal narrative with political history to examine a formative and often overlooked chapter in Haiti–U.S. relations.

The acclaimed documentary “The Forgotten Occupation: Jim Crow Goes to Haiti” made its Los Angeles theatrical debut on Jan. 10 at Lumiere Cinema in Beverly Hills, kicking off a one-week engagement through Jan. 16.

Directed by Haitian filmmaker Alain Martin and executive produced by bestselling author Roxane Gay, the feature documentary revisits the 1915–1934 U.S. military occupation of Haiti through a deeply personal lens. The film premiered last year and will now be introduced to West Coast audiences with a special red-carpet screening, followed by a Q&A, in partnership with Haitian Spotlight LA.

Blending intimate family memories with broader historical context, “The Forgotten Occupation” is framed as a letter from Martin to his grandfather. The narrative unravels a paradoxical legacy of a man who once welcomed American rule in a country still bearing the scars of that intervention.

“By tracing the roots of that power through an intimate family story, ‘The Forgotten Occupation’ reclaims the narrative of Haitian memory, love, and resilience, inviting Los Angeles audiences to see today’s immigration flashpoints not as abstractions, but as part of a long history of occupation, anti-Blackness, and extraordinary Haitian resilience,” Martin said in a statement.

The film’s West Coast premiere comes amid renewed national debate around immigration, as Haitian migrants and asylum seekers face increasing scrutiny in political discourse and border policy. In this context, the documentary provides a timely reflection on U.S.–Haiti relations, raising urgent questions about empire, displacement and democracy.

“Our cultural memory is, all too often, terribly short,” said Gay.  “Alain Martin’s The Forgotten Occupation is a timely, necessary reminder of the brutal American occupation of Haiti that lasted nearly twenty years and sought but failed to bring a proud, independent nation to heel.

“But this movie is so much more,” she continued, “because it is also a gorgeous and moving love letter to a family, a people, a country.”

Tickets are available via lumiereticketsa.com/theforgottenoccupation. Daily showtimes will run Jan. 10–16 at Lumiere Cinema at the Music Hall, 9036 Wilshire Blvd.