Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 10 mai 2025

Haitian woman dies while in ICE custody at Pompano Beach detention center | Breaking News

Marie Ange Blaise, 44, passed away April 25 at Broward Transitional Center; federal authorities investigating cause of death

by The Haitian Times Apr. 30, 2025

Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old Haitian woman, died while in federal immigration custody in Florida. She was being held at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach. The cause of death has not been disclosed and remains under investigation.

Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old Haitian national, died April 25 while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, Florida, ICE announced on Thursday.

She was pronounced dead at 8:35 p.m. by medical staff at the facility. The cause of death is under investigation.

Blaise had entered the United States without admission or parole at an unknown time and location, according to ICE. She was first encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Feb. 12 at the Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, while trying to board a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Authorities issued Blaise a Notice of Expedited Removal the same day, citing her inadmissibility as an immigrant without a valid visa. Over the next two months, she was transferred multiple times between ICE facilities in Puerto Rico, Louisiana and finally Florida.

ICE officials said they notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility, as per policy. The Haitian Consulate in Miami was also informed via email, the agency said.

In accordance with congressional requirements, ICE said it will publicly release a full report on Blaise’s in-custody death within 90 days. A brief summary has been posted to the ICE public website.

Advocates have long raised concerns over the conditions and health care within ICE detention centers, particularly for Haitian migrants and asylum seekers. ICE has maintained that comprehensive medical, dental and mental health care is available to all people in its custody, including 24-hour emergency services.

USA : Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as Foreign Terrorist Organizations 

The United States remains committed to protecting our national security interests and dismantling violent criminal gangs terrorizing the Haitian people. 

Today, the Department of State announces the designation of Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). 

• Viv Ansanm is a group formed in September 2023 as a coalition of gangs through an alliance between the two main gang factions operating in Port-au-Prince, G-9 and G-Pép.
• The groups provide a unified platform for criminal groups to use violence to destabilize Haiti and quash actions aimed at restoring state control. Viv Ansanm has launched coordinated attacks on critical infrastructure in Haiti, including prisons, government buildings, and Haiti’s main airport in Port-au-Prince as part of a campaign that, among other things, forced the resignation of former Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
• Gran Grif is the largest gang in Haiti’s Artibonite department, a region that is home to much of the country’s rice fields. Since 2022, Gran Grif has been responsible for 80 percent of civilian death reports in Artibonite. Gran Grif has attacked Haitian National Police and the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, including in the February 2025 attack that killed a Kenyan MSS mission officer.

Terrorist designations expose and isolate entities and individuals, denying them access to the U.S. financial system and the resources they need to carry out attacks.

All property and interests in property of those designated today that are in the United States or that are in possession or control of a U.S. person are blocked. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting business with sanctioned persons.

Persons, including American citizens, that engage in certain transactions or activities with these entities, or these individuals may expose themselves to sanctions risk. Notably, engaging in certain transactions with the organizations designated today entails risk of secondary sanctions pursuant to counterterrorism authorities.It is a crime to knowingly provide material support or resources to these organizations, or to attempt or conspire to do so. Moreover, terrorist designations can assist law enforcement actions of other U.S. agencies and governments.

Today’s actions are taken pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and Executive Order 13224, as amended. FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register.

Petitioners requesting removal of those designated today from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List should refer to the Department of State’s Delisting Guidance page.

National Center of Haitian Apostolate 

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER (May 4, 2025)

Acts 5, 27-31 + 40-41; Ps. 30; Rev 5, 11-14; Jn 21, 1-19

Msgr. Pierre Andre Pierre

 Third Sunday of Easter. The last chapter of the Gospel of John takes us back to the sea of Galilee and tells us of the third appearance of the Resurrected Jesus to seven of his disciples, including Simon Peter.

 The Apostles are puzzled. On the one hand, having seen the Risen Lord with their own eyes, they joyfully proclaimed the miraculous event. But, at the same time, persecuted by the Pharisees and the Jewish courts, they felt like giving up and going back to their old trade. Peter appears as the leader of the group. The others follow him. They spend a whole night fishing, yet they catch nothing. They lack light. Not only the light of the sun, but also the light that is Jesus. At dawn, Jesus appears on the lake shore. He shouts to them: Cast your nest on the right side. They trust in Him. Surprise! A miraculous catch of fish. The nest is filled to the breaking point. A first lesson was taught: “Without me, you can do nothing.” They rush out to Him.

 Once on land, the meal takes place. Peter brings part of the freshly caught fish. It is, moreover, the fruit of everyone's work. Recognition takes place: they know, without question, that it is the Master. He distributes the bread and the fish, and the community that had dispersed after Christ's arrest is reestablished. But something remains to be done: for Peter to be convinced that he has been forgiven. 

 Peter’s three denials during Jesus’ Passion find three affirmations of affection at the apparition by the Sea of Galilee. Peter is asked 3 times, “Do you love me more than these?” Against the "no's," there are "yes's." It is a question of love. The love that Peter never lacked, even though fear overcame him at the moment of truth. At his successive positive answers, Jesus tells him, “Feed my lambs.” “Tend my sheep.” “Feed my sheep.” Jesus then announced Peter’s future martyrdom for the sake of the Gospel, concluding with the call “Follow me!” These words are addressed to Peter personally, not to the other apostles. When his faith has been reaffirmed, the time comes for him to be commissioned as the head of the group, of the nascent Church.

 From that moment on, the Apostles became fishers of men, fulfilling the Master's command, "obeying God rather than men." That small group progressively grew into a big church, thanks to the bold preaching of the witnesses of the resurrection. They transmitted the message of life that they had heard and seen. "The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree." Jesus is alive. He has given them his Spirit to strengthen them on their mission.

 We have just attended the funeral of Pope Francis, and the Church is preparing the conclave beginning this Wednesday, May 7, 2025, that will elect the new Pope. We continue to pray for the future of the Church. In this context, the liturgy presents us with the call of the first Pope, Saint Peter. Could it be just a coincidence? Or, rather, is it God's passing through our lives? Because He is always there, even if we sometimes struggle to see Him, and the Word always enlightens us.

 The Pope at the Vatican, in Rome, or at any place, is the successor of Peter. His mission is to preserve the unity of the Church. The twelve Apostles and their successors will have to proclaim the message of Jesus’s Salvation to the whole world, demonstrating God's love through their service and actions. They must remain united under One Head. The Church founded by Jesus can be marred by division, confusion, and rivalry, but Jesus’s presence and message of Unity and Love are the beacon of Unity.

The Official Newsletter of the Caribbean Studies Association

Balancing Duty with Serious Fun in St. Martin

Today, as we observe the turmoil caused by conflict and other global shifts, it is easy to become despondent, especially in the Caribbean, a space vulnerable to outside shocks. From increasing food insecurity, looming travel restrictions, and despot diplomacy by the US government, Caribbean leaders are challenged in unprecedented ways and are already bracing citizens for uncertainties ahead.

The region is already coping with challenges like climate crisis, brain-drain of some of most needed professionals like nurses and teachers, and increased (neo)colonialism. Recently, CARICOM Chair and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley referred to these as “the most challenging times of our region since the majority of our members gained their independence.” Mottley further urged Caribbean citizens to support each other and tap into the strength and innovation of the “common Caribbean spirit.” 

As academics, we too are duty-bound regardless to where we are currently stationed. I have argued before that it is not enough for us as to hope that our work will improve life for the peoples of the Caribbean, as optimism requires activism. Looking toward the next 50 years of CSA, I believe we must use our collective and individual talents to leave our region (and the rest of the planet) better than when we found it.  

I am looking forward to our time together at the conference when we can share solutions to challenges and further empower our people in the Caribbean and the diaspora. But I am also insisting that you fully partake in what we in St. Martin call serious fun.

Rhoda Arrindell
President CSA 2024-2025

At least 1,617 people killed in the first quarter of 2025 in Haiti

 Port-au-Prince, 30 April 2025: During the first quarter of 2025, the human rights situation in Haiti remained extremely worrying, marked by mass crimes, kidnappings and sexual violence.

 Between 1 January and 31 March 2025, at least 1,617 people were killed and 580 injured in violence involving gangs, self-defence groups and members of the population, as well as in operations carried out by security forces. At the same time, over the same period, at least 161 kidnappings for ransom were documented, 63% of which took place in the Artibonite department.

 The first quarter was marked by the intensification of the activities of criminal groups to expand their territorial influence in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and its surroundings. The communes of Delmas and Kenscoff were particularly targeted, with the aim of destabilising Pétion-Ville. In addition, these same gangs carried out large-scale attacks against the communes of Mirebalais and Saut d'Eau, in the Centre department, to take control of roads leading to the Dominican Republic, but also to allow the escape of more than 515 inmates from the Mirebalais prison. 

 During the first quarter, the actions of self-defence groups as well as those of unorganized members of the population, carried out within the framework of the movement commonly known as "Bwa Kalé", remained a major source of human rights violations and resulted in the deaths of at least 189 people accused of belonging to gangs or committing ordinary crimes.

 The report expresses concern about the high number of people killed during security force operations. At least 802 people were killed in these operations, about 20% of whom were members of the population that were struck by stray bullets while on the streets or in their homes. In addition, there were 65 cases of summary executions allegedly committed by elements of the police and the government commissioner of Miragoâne.

 The report also highlights the serious consequences of gang activities on women and children. During this quarter, more than 333 survivors of sexual violence were identified, 96% of whom were victims of rape, often gang rape, perpetrated by gang members. In addition, at least 35 children have been killed and ten others have been injured in gang attacks, police operations or acts of mob justice. Many other children have been trafficked and forced to join gangs. 

 In the face of these abuses and human rights violations, and despite the continuing dysfunction of the judicial system, authorities have launched several initiatives to combat impunity, with the support of the United Nations. The Transitional Presidential Council and the government have adopted a decree creating specialized judicial units to deal with mass crimes, sexual violence and financial crimes. More than 114 rape cases have also been examined by investigating judges across the country. The fact remains that progress on emblematic cases remains slow, in particular those related to arms trafficking, the assassination of the President of the Republic and the various massacres documented since 2018.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 2 mai 2025

Dominican Republic detains pregnant Haitian women in hospital swoop

11 hours ago

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Many of the women arrested were pregnant and others had recently given birth

The Dominican Republic says it deported more than 130 Haitian women and children on the first day of a crackdown on undocumented migrants in hospitals.

Dominican authorities said 48 pregnant women, 39 new mothers and 48 children were removed on Monday.

The swoop is one of 15 measures announced by President Luis Abinader to cut the number of undocumented migrants in his country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. 

Abinader's government has been criticised for its harsh treatment of Haitian migrants, many of whom are fleeing the extreme gang violence in their country.

Those deported were taken to a detention centre to have their biometric data and fingerprints taken, before being handed to Haitian authorities at the Elías Piña border crossing.

The Dominican immigration department said the women and their children "were treated with dignity and given food".

Immigration officials added that those detained were taken to the border in buses "with padded seats, safety belts, air conditioning, curtains, CCTV cameras, bathrooms, and a luggage area".

Officials also said all were deported after they had been "discharged from hospital and there were no risks to their health".

However, the Dominican College of Physicians called the deportations "inhumane" and said that checking people's migratory status and detaining them in hospitals would lead to undocumented migrants being too afraid to seek urgent medical care.

At least half a million Haitians are estimated to live in the Dominican Republic, which has a population of 11m. 

One study suggests close to 33,000 Haitian mothers gave birth in Dominican hospitals last years. 

Many Dominicans complain of the additional strain on public services, including health.

President Abinader said earlier this month that his country's "generosity will not be exploited", and that public hospitals would be required to check patients' IDs, work permits and proof of residence.

He said that those not in possession of the necessary papers would be deported after being treated. 

The Dominican Republic has deported more than 80,000 people to Haiti in the first three months of this year, according to AFP news agency.

Rights groups have described the deportations as "cruel".

More than 5,600 people were killed in gang violence in Haiti in 2024 and many hospitals have had to close after being stormed by gang members. 

On Monday, the UN special representative to Haiti, María Isabel Salvador, warned that a recent surge in gang violence meant the country was approaching a "point of no return".

National Center of Haitian Apostolate 

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER - Divine Mercy Sunday - April 27, 2025      

Act 5, 12-16; Ps 118; Rev 1, 9-11a +12-13+17-19; Jn 20. 29-31

Msgr. Pierre Andre Pierre

 Today, the first Sunday after Easter, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. On April 30, 2000, St. Pope John Paul II resorted to a revelation from Sister Faustina of Poland (Aug 25, 1905 – Oct 5, 1038) and instituted this feast for the entire Church. In a vision, she saw Jesus with two rays shining forth from the open wound on his side: a white ray symbolizing the healing river of grace flowing from the Risen Lord and a red ray signifying the blood of mercy pouring out from His Heart.

 We are urged to believe more intensely in the three key teachings of Divine Mercy Sunday. First: God’s love for each one of us is infinite. Second, Jesus' death on the Cross is above all an act of mercy. Third, we too must be Ministers of Mercy in the midst of this cruel world.

 Today’s readings (Acts, Rev., and John) give us a glimpse into the Christian community as it began to develop after Easter. We need to pay attention to the details. First, they were all united. It was necessary because they faced so much opposition. They were united, and they gathered to pray. In that, we are similar. We, too, pray together. In the days following the death of Pope Francis, and as we await the conclave to elect the new pope, all Catholics are also united in prayer for his eternal rest and the future of the Church. It's something felt throughout the world.

 The actions the Apostles performed were the same as those of Jesus: healing the sick, freeing the possessed, in short, helping people to be happy and free. Despite ongoing persecutions, the Christians maintained fidelity and perseverance to the Risen Lord, their King. It seemed that non-believers liked them and were sympathetic to them. This could be dangerous, since going against power and the mainstream of society has always been risky.

 In the apparition, the Risen Lord brings Peace to his Disciples. He gives them his Spirit and the Power to forgive sins. The Gospel speaks about the importance of community. Outside of it, Thomas cannot encounter the Risen Lord. Reunited with it, the encounter and confession of faith take place. Instead of fear and doubts about the presence of the Risen Lord, peace emanates from the Lord, the peace that even allows them to face death with harmony, as the martyrs do.

 The Gospel gives us the keys to understanding what it means to believe in the Master's resurrection. It is not a physical optical event, but something invisible to the eyes, yet accessible to those who have faith. Therefore, says Jesus: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." The resurrected, glorified body is not limited by space and time. It extends as far as the Spirit extends. It is present at the time when the Spirit is present.

 "What did the disciples see?" They saw what God allowed them to see, to contemplate "mysteriously" the reality of the risen Lord. The risen Jesus is not in one place, but in every place; He is not in one time, but in all times; He is not in one person, but in all people. All power in heaven and on earth has been given to him.

 Like the Disciples, we are invited to be bearers of Christ's peace, to boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus, and to heal through our words and actions. If we ask, the Lord will grant it to us. Amen.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ira Paul Lowenthal, on April 23, 2025. Ira passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer.
Ira was a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather and friend. He was known for his quick wit, deep love of Haiti, passion for music, appreciation of good food and drink, and his ever-present enthusiasm for lively social gatherings and entertaining. Ira touched the lives of many through his work and friendship over the course of his rich and vibrant life.
Ira was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to Alan Lowenthal and Doris Zinick. He graduated from Yale University and earned an advanced degree from Johns Hopkins University, pursuing a career in Anthropology and Ethnology.
Ira’s lifelong connection to Haiti began in childhood, sparked by his father Alan, a jazz drummer, who owned a set of Haitian drums stored in the basement of their New Jersey home. His interest and curiosity about Haiti and the Caribbean was further deepened by his professors Sidney Mintz and Richard Price. In 1972, Ira made his first visit to Haiti with his close friend Drexel Woodson. He immediately fell in love with the country and its people, ultimately choosing to make Haiti his home and the central focus of his academic and professional life.
From 1976 to 1980, Ira conducted fieldwork in Duverger, Haiti—research that culminated in the birth of his daughter and his doctoral dissertation, “Marriage is 20, Children are 21: The Cultural Construction of Conjugality and the Family in Rural Haiti.” Over the next four decades, Ira became a recognized expert on Haitian society and culture. He held numerous roles in humanitarian and development work with organizations such as USAID, the Inter-American Development Bank, and various NGOs.
A passionate collector and supporter of Haitian art and artisans, Ira—together with his then-wife, Alexis Gardella—opened Men Nou, a gallery in Pétion-Ville, Haiti. The gallery celebrated and promoted the work of local artists.
Ira is survived by his first wife, Clémène Adrien, mother of his only child, Alena Lowenthal; Clémène’s other children Bertha, Fritz, Guerda and Ariol; and his grandson, Imani-Hans Ngalame. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Ralph Cassagnol; his stepson, Owen Michael; his stepfather, Jerome Carp; and his siblings, Edward Carp and Wendy Gallo.

2025 Little Haiti Book Festival

Dear friend of the Little Haiti Book Festival,

We are thrilled to invite you to the 2025 Little Haiti Book Festival, an annual celebration of Haitian literature, culture, and community. This year’s festival takes place on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex in Miami. As one of our valued supporters, your presence as a VIP guest would be an honor and will help us celebrate the spirit of Little Haiti together in a memorable way.

The Little Haiti Book Festival is a vibrant, family-friendly event showcasing Haiti’s rich cultural heritage. Throughout the day, enjoy author readings, live music, cultural performances, and engaging activities for all ages. It’s a day to reconnect with what matters most – family, community, and culture – all while savoring the authentic sights, sounds, and flavors of Haiti in the heart of Miami.

Experience the LAKOU – Our New Communal Courtyard

This year, we’re especially excited to introduce LAKOU, a new open-air courtyard space inspired by the communal spirit of a traditional Haitian lakou (courtyard). We invite you to stop by the LAKOU area at any time during the festival to relax, mingle, and immerse yourself in an authentic Haitian experience. In the LAKOU, you'll find the atmosphere warm and welcoming – the perfect place to unwind between events or catch up with friends old and new.

Highlights of the LAKOU experience include:

• Authentic Haitian Cuisine: Savor delicious traditional foods from local Haitian vendors, bringing you the true flavors of Haiti.
• Full Bar: Enjoy a full bar offering refreshing beverages, including signature Haitian drinks, in a lively tropical ambiance.
• Family-Friendly Entertainment: Delight in puzzles, games, and interactive activities for children (and adults!) provided by our friends at Game Time Ayiti – ensuring fun for the whole family all day long.
• Community Gathering Space: An open courtyard setting where you can comfortably network and mingle with fellow VIPs, authors, and community leaders in a casual, festive environment that echoes the togetherness of a Haitian lakou.

Event Details

• Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025
• Time: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (drop in at your convenience)
• Location: Little Haiti Cultural Complex – 212 NE 59th Terrace, Miami, FL
• Admission: Free (festival open to the public, all ages welcome)

We deeply appreciate your support and involvement in the Little Haiti Book Festival. Your presence makes a difference – it helps foster the sense of community and cultural pride that this festival is all about. Feel free to bring your family to share in the day’s festivities, explore the books and art, and of course, enjoy the LAKOU together.

Thank you for being a cherished part of our festival community. We look forward to celebrating with you on May 4th in the heart of Little Haiti. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

M.J.

MJ FIEVRE | READCARIBBEAN COORDINATOR
Miami Book Fair | Miami Dade College
Sosyete Koukouy of Miami, Inc.

954-391-3398

MiamiBookFair.com | MiamiBookFairOnline.com

@MiamiBookFair on FB, IG, and Twitter | #MiamiReads
https://www.sosyetekoukouy.org/ 
@sosyetekoukouyofmiami/ on FB
@Sosyete_Koukouy on Twitter

The mission of the Miami Book Fair is to engage our community through inclusive, accessible, year-round programs that promote reading and support writers throughout South Florida. 

Established in 1985, Sosyete Koukouy of Miami, Inc. is dedicated to preserving Haitian culture in the United States through education, arts, and cultural presentations. Our mission is preserving, perpetuating, and presenting Haitian cultural performances and exhibitions to Creole and non-Creole-speaking audiences. 

Haiti could face ‘total chaos’ without more global support, UN envoy warns

The UN’s top official in Haiti says gang violence could reach a “point of no return” without urgent international backing.

by AP News Apr. 23, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Haiti’s escalating gang violence could push the country into “total chaos” unless the international community urgently provides funding and support, UN envoy María Isabel Salvador warned at a Security Council briefing on Monday.

The top U.N. official in Haiti sounded an alarm to the U.N. Security Council on Monday that escalating gang violence is liable to lead the Caribbean nation to “a point of no return.”

María Isabel Salvador warned that “Haiti could face total chaos” without increased funding and support for the operation of the Kenya-led multinational force helping Haiti’s police to tackle the gangs’ expanding violence into areas beyond the capital, Port-Au-Prince.

Most recently, she said, gangs seized the city of Mirebalais in central Haiti and during the attack over 500 prisoners were freed. It was the fifth prison break in under a year, “part of a deliberate effort to entrench dominance, dismantle institutions and instill fear.”

Haiti’s police, supported by the armed forces and the Kenya-led force, were overwhelmed by the scale and duration of the violence, the U.N. special representative said.

The gangs have grown in power since the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and are now estimated to control 85% of the capital and are moving into surrounding areas. Haiti has not had a president since then.

The U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police arrived in Haiti last year to help local authorities quell gang violence, but the mission remains understaffed and underfunded, with only about 40% of the 2,500 personnel originally envisioned.

Salvador said that in February and March alone, 1,086 people were killed and 383 injured. In addition, according to the U.N. migration office, over 60,000 Haitians were displaced in the past two months, adding to 1 million already displaced by December. “These figures are expected to rise,” she said.

Earlier this month, the leader of Haiti’s transitional presidential council, Fritz Alphonse Jean, tried to allay surging alarm among Haitians over the rampant gang violence by acknowledging that the country has “become hell for everyone.” He promised new measures to stop the bloodshed.

But Salvador, who heads the U.N. political mission in the country, said the Haitian government’s efforts alone will be insufficient to significantly reduce the intensity of the violence perpetrated by criminal groups.

In February, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said he would ask the Security Council to authorize funding for the structural and logistical expenses of the Kenya-led mission from the U.N. budget.

But there are no signs that the 15-member council plans to address this request any time soon.

“Without timely, decisive and concrete international assistance, the security situation in Haiti may not change,” Salvador warned. “Haiti could face total chaos.”

Kenya’s national security adviser, Monica Juma, told the council in a video briefing from Nairobi that the force has entered “a decisive phase of its operation” where gangs are coordinating operations and attacking people and strategic installations, and targeting the political establishment.

While the Haitian police and the multinational force have launched intensive anti-gang operations and achieved some notable progress, especially in securing critical infrastructure, she said a significant gap exists.

Juma said 261 Kenyan police officers are trained and ready to deploy to Haiti, but they can’t get there because of a lack of equipment and logistical support.

She urged the council to take a “more assertive and proactive role” in helping to stabilize Haiti, saying time is of the essence.

Juma said critical to stabilizing the country is stopping the flow of guns and ammunition to the gangs and implementing sanctions against gang leaders. U.N. experts say most arms come from the United States, specifically the Miami area.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 21 avril 2025

Judge will halt Trump administration from ending humanitarian parole for people from four countries

Boston AP  —  normal

A federal judge said Thursday that she will prevent the Trump administration from ordering hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans with temporary legal status to leave the country later this month.

The ruling is a significant, although perhaps temporary, setback for the administration as it dismantles Biden-era policies that created new and expanded pathways for people to live in the United States, generally for two years with work authorization.

US District Judge Indira Talwani said she would issue a stay on an order for more than 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans to leave the country, sparing them until the case advances to the next phase. Their permits were to be canceled April 24.

During a hearing, Talwani repeatedly questioned the government’s assertion that it could end humanitarian parole for the four nationalities. She argued that immigrants in the program who are here legally now face an option of “fleeing the country” or staying and “risk losing everything.”

“The nub of the problem here is that the secretary, in cutting short the parole period afforded to these individuals, has to have a reasoned decision,” Talwani said, adding that the explanation for ending the program was “based on an incorrect reading of the law.”

“There was a deal and now that deal has been undercut,” she said later in the hearing.

Last month, the administration revoked legal protections for hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, setting them up for potential deportation in 30 days.

They arrived with financial sponsors, applying online and paying their own airfare for two-year permits to live and work in the US. During that time, the beneficiaries needed to find other legal pathways if they wanted to stay longer in the US, parole is a temporary status.

President Donald Trump has been ending legal pathways for immigrants to come to the US, implementing campaign promises to deport millions of people who are in the US illegally.

Outside court, immigration advocates, including Guerline Jozef, founder and executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said attacks on this program contradict the Trump administration’s strategy on immigration.

“We hear the narrative of people coming here illegally and the administration wanting to erase illegal immigration,” Jozef said. “But, we clearly see today that is not the case. Even those people who have legal status, are paying their taxes and working are under attack.”

Cesar Baez, an activist of the political opposition in Venezuela, said he feared for his life and left his country to come to the US under the sponsorship of a doctor. He arrived under the humanitarian parole program in December 2022, and for the last year, has been working as a producer at a media outlet in Washington.

He has applied for a working visa as another way to get legal status and has also requested asylum, but those processes have also been paused under the Trump administration.

For him, the judge’s announcement means hope.

“It is very important for me to have protections and not be removed to Venezuela,” said Baez, 24. “I have no doubt that if I set foot in the country, I would immediately be imprisoned.”

Advocates, who called the administration’s action “unprecedented,” said it would result in people losing their legal status and ability to work and argued that it violated federal rule-making.

The government’s lawyer, Brian Ward, argued in court that ending the program doesn’t mean that individuals couldn’t be considered for other immigration programs. He also said the government wouldn’t prioritize them for deportation — something Talwani found suspect, given they could be arrested if they happened to go to the hospital or were involved in a car accident.

The end of temporary protections for these immigrants has generated little political blowback among Republicans other than three Cuban-American representatives from Florida who called for preventing the deportation of the Venezuelans affected. One of them, Rep. Maria Salazar of Miami, also joined about 200 congressional Democrats this week in co-sponsoring a bill that would enable them to become lawful permanent residents.

BREAKING: President Trump says he plans to pause deportations for illegal immigrants employed in agriculture, hospitality, and other industries “where workers are needed.”

National Center of Haitian Apostolate 

REFLECTIONS ON PALM SUNDAY (April 13^th, 2025)

Isaiah 50, 4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2, 6-11; Luke 22, 14-23, 49

Msgr. Pierre André Pierre

https://youtu.be/lcA-dgF4f-w?si=cgnXJa0iVWzrmtqb

Today is Palm Sunday. It marks the first celebration of the Holy Week: The story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with the donkey, the crowds, the coats, the branches. All four gospels featured Jesus surrounded by a large crowd shouting joyfully, Hosanna, save us, Son of David. Jesus's followers stepped out as players and protagonists in the realm of God. For the first time, they become more vocal, they are part of something bigger than themselves. They proclaim their new allegiance. They shout in public that they belong to Jesus, the Messiah. What a triumphant procession!

 Palm Sunday is the doorway into the Holy Week, Jesus' final week, where Triumph and tragedy meet. We are about to relive the Hour of Jesus, the reason why he came to this world. Jesus enters Jerusalem in order to suffer, die and rise again.

 This celebration is also called Passion Sunday. Pontius Pilate, to keep the peace, led another procession, a bigger and more powerful one. The higher-ups and the authorities stand against Jesus. Roman legions patrolled the streets of Jerusalem. Most people who acclaimed Jesus were expecting the Messiah. They expected him to be a Savior, a leader, a King who would give them a temporary victory and lead them to freedom over the Roman oppressors. Once they discovered that Jesus was not going to fulfill their expectations, they quickly deserted him. They stopped cheering, celebrating, and shouting Hosanna, and they began shouting: “crucify him”.

On this day of Palm and Passion Sunday, we see these two extremes: honor and praise, celebration and enthusiasm of Jesus’ followers on the one hand, opposition and fear, betrayal and death on the other. Let us not hold back from being part of the celebrations of this Holy Week that begins today: It will culminate in the Paschal Triduum: the celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday. 

 The Church, like the ordinary people of Jerusalem, acknowledges Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed One, sent by the Father. We will see Jesus being arrested, tortured, and brought to Calvary. We will follow up to his sacrifice on the cross. We are going to be baffled by these horrifying developments. Let us understand clearly: Is it our life that is nailed to the cross with him: it is our life with its pains, sufferings, and sins that Christ took upon himself. “It was our sins that he bore in his body on the tree.” There is no greater love than to give one's life for those we love. It is the total gift of Christ that we celebrate throughout this Holy Week. Jesus on the Cross is the “Lamb of God.” As the supreme High-Priest, He will offer his life in sacrifice for our sake. His blood will purchase our salvation. This hour of horror will open for us the fountain of life.

 On Holy Thursday, let us come together to celebrate the institution of the Eucharist and hear again the proclamation of the “Mandatum” the supreme commandment of Love. The Triduum ignites “the Hour” of Jesus, including his death and resurrection. From Good Friday through Easter Vigil and the proclamation of the Resurrection, we shall relive with fervor every moment of the Hour, which has come. Join the Church’s exulting song of the Easter Alleluia!

 On Easter morning, Jesus will rise from the dead. In the course of this Holy Week we will be praying with great intensity. We will discover the power of the Cross, the power of self-denial, the power of suffering, and the Victory offered to us through the blood of Jesus on the Cross. Our faith will be stirred into flame.

Haiti’s textile industry threatened by Trump’s tariffs

President Trump’s new 10% tariff on Caribbean imports deals a fresh blow to Haiti’s garment sector, already buckling under instability and shrinking U.S. trade guarantees

by The Haitian Times Apr. 08, 2025

Overview:

A 10% tariff on Caribbean imports announced by President Trump could devastate Haiti’s apparel sector—one of the last functioning parts of its economy—as Congress races to renew expiring trade benefits under HOPE and HELP.

Haiti’s apparel industry, long hanging by a thread, may soon unravel completely following President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement of a 10% tariff on all Caribbean imports. The move exacerbates Haiti’s struggling textile industry. 

For nearly two decades, garment manufacturers in Haiti have benefited from HOPE (Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement) and HELP (Haiti Economic Lift Program). The trade programs, which allow for duty-free access to markets in the United States, would be directly undermined by the new tariffs.

“One especially delicate case for the CARICOM group now is Haiti, where the social and economic fabric remains under strain from political uncertainty and armed groups disrupting daily life,” Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the United States, wrote in an op-ed published April 3.

“Imposing further tariffs on Haiti’s exports under the current circumstances, risks inhibiting the very progress the country so urgently needs. Deterioration in Haiti’s economic circumstances will only increase the Haitian impetus to seek refuge in the U.S.”

In 2023, Haiti ranked 162nd globally in exports and 153rd in imports, underscoring its fragile position in the global economy. Its top exports, primarily apparel items like knit T-shirts and sweaters, brought in $844 million from the U.S. alone, making the country heavily dependent on American demand, according to figures from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).

At the same time, Haiti imported over $1.15 billion in goods from the U.S., including refined petroleum, rice, and even cotton fabrics for its garment sector, revealing a trade imbalance and Haiti’s deep reliance on trade with the U.S.

Expiring programs

HOPE and HELP are set to expire in September 2025. U.S. lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill in February to extend the programs for another 10 years. 

Supporters say the programs are crucial not only for Haiti but for American manufacturers and cotton producers who benefit from nearshoring.

“Establishing long-term stability in Haiti requires a strong foundation for economic opportunity and growth,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus. 

“The HOPE/HELP trade preference program has played an integral role in this effort, strengthening the apparel sector and creating jobs throughout the country. We must reauthorize HOPE/HELP immediately in order to help the U.S. economy and reaffirm our commitment to Haiti’s security and prosperity.”

Some trade experts warn that without an extension of HOPE and HELP, Haiti could lose one of the last functioning sectors of its formal economy.

EMBED – 

“The apparel industry is the backbone of Haiti’s formal economy,” Maulik Radia, president of the Association des Industries d’Haïti (ADIH), said in a statement. “Without the immediate reauthorization of this program, Haiti will experience further job losses in the apparel sector.”

According to ADIH, Haiti has lost 40,000 jobs in the apparel industry, shrinking from a peak of 60,000 jobs to just over 20,000. The majority of the jobs in Haiti’s textile sector are in the north and east of Haiti, away from the violence and instability in Port-au-Prince and Haiti’s south.  

“While the new tariffs, announced by President Trump on April 3, will raise the cost of CARICOM products in the United States – and very likely reduce exports and revenues for already challenged Caribbean economies – American consumers will also feel the effects,” said Sanders.

”Increases in duty rates often translate to higher prices on store shelves. Thus, while Caribbean exporters lose potential income, U.S. buyers face higher costs.”

An ‘America First’ plan to prevent Haiti’s collapse | Opinion

Austin Holmes - April 8, 2025 1:40 PM

Fed up with surging gang violence, thousands of Haitians took to the streets of Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 to protest against armed gangs and demand the resignation of Haiti’s transitional authorities. The demonstration was one of the biggest in recent years. Johnny Fils-Aimé For the Miami Herald

From President Donald Trump’s attention to the Middle East, the Panama Canal, the Russia-Ukraine war, plus U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s travel throughout the Americas, this administration clearly understands that U.S. interests — including border security — depend on what happens in our backyard.

That is why the administration must act quickly to break from former President Joe Biden’s failed approach to Haiti and prevent a dangerous collapse unfolding just 700 miles from South Florida’s coast.

Haiti is no longer just an unfortunate humanitarian crisis — it is a rapidly escalating regional security threat. In just the last few weeks, Kenya’s security forces have suffered their first casualties. Gangs have seized armored troop carriers from Haitian police. Significant ground has been lost in and around the capital Port-au-Prince and gangs have opened fire on helicopters over the city.

Mirebalais — once a peaceful mountain refuge for families fleeing violence in Haiti — is now slipping under gang rule as well. Roads have been overtaken, kidnappings and extortion are surging, and the tactics used to cripple Port-au-Prince are expanding into new territory. The country is unraveling at breakneck speed.

Calculated efforts by the Haitian National Police, including drone strikes and tactical offensives, have proven largely fruitless. The gangs remain emboldened. The state is losing its grip. Violence is escalating.

This is not some noble ideological uprising. These gangs are foreign-funded, criminally trained and driven by profit. They are not philosophers or revolutionaries — they are narco-terrorists whose goal is to turn Haiti into a trafficking hub sending narcotics into the U.S.

Dimitri Herard, a former police official linked to the assassination in 2021 of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse, is now positioning himself as a nationalist leader. But Herard is no freedom fighter— he’s one of the architects behind the arming and training of these networks of gangs. His ambition is clear: convert gang violence into political power. Herard and other gang leaders have allegedly raped, murdered and extorted their way to personal dominance — and they’ve ignited a full-fledged fire just a stone’s throw from U.S. shores.

The Biden-Harris approach to Haiti — defined by disengagement — utterly failed. On the current path, murders and kidnappings will rise. Gang territory will expand. Phony elections will be staged. Foreign actors — particularly China — will invest in infrastructure and resources, turning Haiti into a narco-state governed by proxies and beholden to adversarial interests. America’s national security and borders will bear the consequences.

The last thing Haiti needs is another failed aid campaign or American boots on the ground. What Haiti needs is U.S. support for credible Haitian and Haitian-American partners to prepare to fight for their country’s freedom. These include trusted private-sector leaders, former law enforcement officials and military veterans with the experience and local relationships to reclaim ground, secure infrastructure, and restore order.

It is no longer a question of if Haiti falls — but when and how deep the collapse will be. Swift action now to contain the fallout will pay significant America First dividends down the road.

More than one million Haitians are already internally displaced. Likely twice that number have fled. Tens of thousands more are seeking refuge across borders — many illegally.

Imagine the consequence of complete government collapse in Haiti. I believe Haiti will become a trafficking superhighway into the U.S., a nearby narco-state aligned with foreign adversaries and a humanitarian catastrophe that destabilizes the region, overwhelms our neighbors and triggers another refugee crisis at our border.

This scenario is not hypothetical. It’s already happening. 

The window to act is closing. But there is still time. With urgency, clarity and resolve, the administration can empower brave Haitians to reclaim their nation, prevent total collapse and protect the American people from becoming collateral damage.

Austin Holmes, a Florida native and former Haitian resident, has experience directing high-stakes humanitarian efforts, crisis management operations and disaster response efforts in Haiti and the Caribbean. He coordinated relief efforts for over 750,000 Haitians after Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article303726556.html

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 9 avril 2025

Green card applications for refugees and asylees suspended by Trump administration | DOCUMENTED NY

The move adds more delays and uncertainty for individuals who have already proven they face persecution in their home countries.

by Guest Author Apr. 04, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

The Trump administration has paused green card processing for refugees and asylees, citing additional security screening needs. Experts say the shift signals a broader tightening of immigration under Trump, creating longer wait times and more uncertainty for vulnerable populations.

The Trump administration has quietly halted the processing of green card applications for certain individuals, including immigrants granted refugee or asylum status, citing that “additional screening and vetting” was needed to identify “potential fraud, public safety, or national security concerns,” CBS News reported Tuesday.

According to the report, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has paused the adjustment of status process for refugees and asylees seeking lawful permanent residency. These individuals have already demonstrated that they are either unwilling or unable to return to their home countries due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.  

Experts see this as part of the Trump administration’s increasing vetting of immigrants. 

“What we might be seeing in this is a kind of reorientation of USCIS,” said Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute‘s U.S. immigration policy program. 

The move by the administration adds further delays and uncertainty to an already lengthy and complex process for those who seek safety in the U.S.

“Under the Biden administration, there had been really record high levels of processing of applications, including for green cards and naturalization, it was prioritizing adjudicating these applications,” Bush-Joseph told Documented. “Now under Trump, we’re seeing this focus on vetting and fraud detection, and that comes in coordination with restrictions on access to protection and status in the United States,” she added.

This week, the Trump administration announced it will revoke temporary legal status for roughly 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans as part of the CHNV (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela) humanitarian parole program. Last month, the administration also paused all immigration applications from Latin America and Ukraine under Biden-era programs. 

Bush-Joseph noted that it remains unclear whether this specific policy change will affect other green card applicants. However, she pointed out that the Trump administration’s actions, which have included firing probationary employees and encouraging retirements across federal agencies like USCIS, could reduce the agency’s workforce and lead to processing delays. 

“At the end of the day, in a lot of these categories for immigration benefits, the amount of personnel and resources dedicated to adjudication determines how quickly these move under any administration,” she said.

National Center of Haitian Apostolate 

REFLECTIONS FOR THE 5^TH SUNDAY OF LENT- YEAR C -April 6, 2025

Isaiah 43, 16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3, 8-14, John 8, 1-11

Msgr. Pierre André Pierre

The church continues calling to conversion. God saves those who are lost. After the parable of the prodigal son last week by Luke, today the Gospel of John presents the story of the prodigal daughter. We are in for a surprise. We see Jesus put to the test by the same enemies, the scribes and the Pharisees. This time, they challenged the Lord to pass Judgment on a woman cut in the act of adultery throwing her at his feet in the Temple area. The Law says that she must be stoned to death. What do you say? The dilemma is either the Law of Moses or Jesus. Stunningly his reaction is one of infinite mercy. To the poor wretch of a woman, he says: “I do not condemn you. Go and sin ne more.”

 The accusers went away one by one, beginning with the oldest and ending with the last. To the greedy, those with depraved habits, the unjust, the wicked, Jesus today says the same: “Go but sin no more.” Oh! Yes, please sin no more! Accept repentance! You as well, beloved, my brother or my sister!

 Jesus calls evil evil and condemns it. For Jesus's followers, not everything goes. He didn't come to justify our sins but to free us from them, to cleanse us, and to teach us a new way of living. Jesus condemned adultery and said further in Matthew 5:28, "Whoever looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery in his heart."

 Let us understand clearly: sin is an evil we must fight with all our strength. But the sinner is someone who must be healed and saved. He needs help to find his place in the Christian community. The Christian life is a daily battle against the forces of evil. But in this battle, we are not alone. Jesus is with us to show us the way. 

 According to the prophet Isaiah, God “put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for his chosen people to drink:” the water of baptism and confession, the waters of repentance and forgiveness, and the rivers of his mercy. Saint Paul invites us to consider everything a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus, the Lord.” “I consider all things as rubbish that I may gain Christ.” This season of Lent calls us to rediscover the power and beauty Christ offers. The time has come to strain forward to possess HIM.

World Health Day spotlight: St. Damien Pediatric Hospital fights to stay open as gang violence shuts down Haiti’s healthcare system

Despite insecurity, the hospital delivered 1,260 babies and performed 131 surgeries in 2024 but now faces budget shortfalls, prompting officials to call for urgent aid.

by Juhakenson Blaise Apr. 04, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Overview:

As gang violence forces more than 20 hospitals to close, St. Damien Pediatric Hospital in Tabarre, Port-au-Prince, remains one of the few still operating. However, with shortages of medicine, food and hospital capacity, officials are calling for international support to keep the facility running.

PORT-AU-PRINCE — As gang violence paralyzes Haiti’s capital and its surrounding areas, forcing more than 20 hospitals to close, St. Damien Pediatric Hospital in Tabarre, a few miles northeast of downtown Port-au-Prince,  remains among the few still operating. But the hospital—known for treating childhood illnesses, performing lifesaving surgeries, and caring for high-risk pregnancies—is now at risk itself. Budget shortfalls, dwindling supplies and the worsening security crisis have pushed the facility to the brink, leading its officials to issue an urgent plea for help.

“Solidarity knows no borders. If people outside help us, it means we are not alone in facing these challenges,” Dr. Pascale Gassant, medical director of St. Damien Hospital, told The Haitian Times..

On the occasion of World Health Day, on April 7, Haiti’s healthcare system is on the brink of complete collapse. It has been devastated by gang violence, with many hospitals looted and shut down. 

Before the resurgence in escalation last month, over 20 public and private medical centers had already ceased operations, including critical hospitals such as the following:

• State University Hospital of Haiti (HUEH), also known as l’Hôpital General
• Saint-François de Sales Hospital in downtown Port-au-Prince
• Dash Hospital in Delmas 18 
• Croix-des-Bouquets Health Center
• Sainte-Catherine Labouré Hospital in Cité Soleil
• Aurore du Bel-Air Health Center  
• Saint-Martin 2 Health Center (Rue Saint-Martin)  
• Saint-Martin 1 Health Center (Delmas 3 and 18)  
• Sanatorium Hospital in Carrefour-Feuilles
• Bon-Repos Community Hospital
• Beudet Community Hospital
• Pernier Health Center

In December 2024, gangs attacked the State University Hospital, killing two journalists and injuring at least seven people in a shootout. Doctors Without Borders—Médecins Sans Frontières—which reopened some of its health centers across the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, suspended its activities again in March 2025 after armed attacks on its staff.

Meanwhile, the roads to the few remaining hospitals, including St. Damien, are increasingly dangerous, making it nearly impossible for patients and medical staff to travel safely.

“We are determined. Every day, we risk our lives. But we need help,” said Dr. Gassant.

“Solidarity knows no borders. If people outside help us, it means we are not alone in facing these challenges.”

Dr. Pascale Gassant, medical director of St. Damien Hospitalnormal

How St. Damien fights to save lives

Founded in 1989 and operated by the nonprofit Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs, French for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters,” St. Damien is Haiti’s only pediatric hospital providing full-scale services, including childhood cancer treatments and maternal care. It remains a lifeline for thousands of vulnerable Haitian families.

St. Damien Hospital treats approximately 50,000 patients annually. With 224 beds, the hospital has expanded its maternity and neonatology services since the 2010 earthquake. It provides emergency care and treats conditions such as malnutrition, dehydration, and infectious diseases like tuberculosis and HIV, as well as non-infectious diseases such as cancer and heart disease. The hospital also supports abandoned children and offers social assistance to patients in need.

Despite gang threats, 500 doctors, nurses and other staff continue working at the hospital, treating children and mothers under extreme conditions.

In 2024 alone, St. Damien recorded the following results:

• 1,260 births
• 131 pediatric surgeries
• 46 new cancer cases treated
• 100+ children seen daily in the outpatient clinic
• 500 children vaccinated each month                                                                                                  

The hospital’s 25-bed neonatology unit manages about 50% of Haiti’s infant mortality cases, while its oncology center treats nearly all pediatric cancers, except brain tumors.

However, funding shortages now threaten its malnutrition treatment programs, maternity and neonatology care and mother-to-child HIV prevention programs.

“We believe in a better future. It is essential to always have hope. Without hope, life loses its meaning. Lespwa fè viv,” said Dr. Gassant. “Despite the insecurity, we must continue our mission for children and mothers.”

“I could have died, but St. Damien diagnosed and treated my serious heart disease.”

Davie, a former patient of St. Damien Pediatric Hospital

A call for urgent support

St. Damien is struggling to sustain its operations, with United States aid to Haiti frozen and USAID funds stalled. The hospital uses the occasion of World Health Day on April 7 to raise awareness and seek emergency funding.

“If St. Damien didn’t exist, children and mothers would die,” said Dr. Jenny Edouard, former HIV/AIDS program coordinator now living in the U.S.

As diseases spread, malnutrition worsens, and violence escalates, Haiti’s healthcare system is collapsing. Without immediate support, even the last remaining hospitals may not survive.

“We are used to crises, but the challenges we face today are greater than ever,” said Dr. Gassant. “Hope must be preserved so we can continue our mission.”

The crisis at St. Damien is part of a broader humanitarian disaster in Haiti. Since 2022, over 82,000 suspected cholera cases have been reported, and 1.6 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity, worsening malnutrition, and the spread of diseases. Despite these challenges, hospitals like St. Damien continue to operate but face overwhelming obstacles, including limited supplies, damaged infrastructure, and ongoing insecurity.

UNICEF and other humanitarian organizations struggle to deliver necessary supplies via an airlift from Panama, while the country’s paralyzed infrastructure further exacerbates the crisis. These challenges threaten to push Haiti deeper into a humanitarian disaster.