AGP Executive Report

Journalism Under Threat: CPJ is calling on Haitian authorities to secure the release of veteran journalist Wesly Renaud Jean, abducted Sept. 6 in Delmas 31 after kidnappers demanded ransom and provided proof of life by phone. Violence and Insecurity: A Haiti Action Committee report says heavily armed paramilitary group Viv Ansanm carried out a major massacre in Kenscoff, killing dozens to over 70 people, raping women, and taking dozens of hostages after warning of the attack in advance. Haitian Music Loss: Konpa fans mourn the death of André Déjean, a founding member of Les Frères Déjean, whose trumpet helped define the band’s sound and a key era of Haitian mini-jazz. Diaspora and Deportation Pressure: In the U.S., Haitian families and faith leaders are pushing back against TPS uncertainty and ICE actions, including calls to extend TPS for Haitians and stop deportations. Community Spotlight: Haitian community participation is highlighted in the VIVA Ottumwa Latino Festival in Iowa, which returned after a two-year pause amid fears of ICE raids. Sports Media Fight: CANAL+ and LaLiga announced an anti-piracy partnership spanning nearly 50 countries including Haiti, aiming to coordinate enforcement against illegal distribution.

Haitian TPS and deportation pressure in the U.S.: A Haitian student, Pierre Damas Bel, is mourned after his death in Ohio; his family links it to distress and bullying tied to an ICE GPS ankle monitor, while faith leaders and community groups push lawmakers to extend protections for Haitians. U.S. immigration enforcement backlash: Reports also highlight ICE arrests of Haitian parents near schools and renewed outcry over how ankle monitors and detention policies affect Haitian families. Haiti humanitarian aid: The UAE says it will provide $10 million in urgent assistance to Haiti via the Emirates Red Crescent, targeting food, shelter, healthcare, and water/sanitation for displaced people. Regional diplomacy: CARICOM and Japan reaffirm cooperation and discussed Haiti’s humanitarian situation, with Japan backing sustainable development efforts. Haitian culture loss: Konpa fans mourn André Déjean, a founding trumpet member of Les Frères Déjean, whose music helped define a key era of Haitian popular sound. Elections and gangs: The OAS warns that candidates with criminal ties should be barred from Haiti’s elections, urging Haitian authorities to set eligibility rules.

Humanitarian Aid to Haiti: The UAE, via the Emirates Red Crescent, is sending $10 million in urgent help to Haiti, including food, shelter, health care, water, sanitation, medicines, and support for internally displaced people. Gang Violence and Press Freedom: Haitian journalist Wesly Renaud Jean was abducted in Delmas 31, Port-au-Prince, with kidnappers seeking ransom; CPJ urges authorities to secure his release and protect journalists. U.S. Deportations Continue: A fourth deportation flight returned 82 Haitians to Cap-Haïtien, bringing the total forcibly returned since TPS ended to 401, as UN and rights advocates call for an end to forced removals. Elections and Eligibility: The OAS says candidates with links to criminal organizations should be barred from Haiti’s elections, stressing Haitian authorities decide eligibility. Public Health Alert: Dominican authorities say there are no anthrax cases, but they’ve boosted surveillance after suspected cutaneous anthrax cases in southwestern Haiti. Regional Cooperation: CARICOM and Japan reaffirmed their partnership, including discussion of Haiti’s humanitarian situation.

Humanitarian Aid: The UAE says it will send $10 million in urgent assistance to Haiti through the Emirates Red Crescent, targeting food, shelter, health, water, sanitation and hygiene for displaced families and vulnerable groups. Elections & Crime: The OAS warns that Haiti election candidates with criminal ties should be barred, arguing Haitian authorities must decide eligibility and prevent gang-linked figures from entering politics. Security & Rights: Haitian journalist Wesly Renaud Jean was abducted in Port-au-Prince’s Delmas 31 area, with kidnappers reportedly seeking ransom; CPJ urges swift action and protection for media workers. Deportations: The U.S. deported 98 Haitians in one flight, bringing forced returns since TPS ended to 401, as UN rights officials and advocates call for an end to removals. Public Health: Haiti’s health ministry reports dengue stays low, cholera remains at zero, and malaria cases are down, urging mosquito control and safe water. Regional Shocks: Multiple earthquakes hit the Caribbean, including a 4.1 quake near Anse a Galets in Haiti, with no tsunami threat reported.

Haitian Deportations & TPS Fallout: Faith leaders in Ohio urged Gov. Mike DeWine to end ankle-monitor detention and “unshackle” Haitians after TPS ended in July, as Haitian families face fear and enforcement tied to immigration crackdowns. Massacre in Haiti: Haiti Action Committee condemned a late-August Kenscoff massacre by Viv Ansanm, alleging church killings, rapes, and hostages, and demanded the Trump administration stop deporting Haitians back to Haiti. Haitian Community Under ICE Pressure: In San Diego, ICE detained Haitian parents near John Marshall Elementary after drop-off, prompting protests and condemnation from school officials over the chilling impact on children and neighborhoods. Elections & Gang Influence: The OAS warned that politicians with ties to criminal gangs should be barred from Haiti’s elections, urging faster verification to protect credibility. UN Accountability & Haiti: Commentary on a “widening trust deficit” at the UN points to past Haiti-related failures, including harm linked to peacekeepers. Sports (Haiti in the region): Violette AC of Haiti advanced in the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup after a key win, setting up semi-final placement.

Haiti Elections & Security: The OAS says politicians with ties to criminal gangs should be barred from Haiti’s elections, urging faster verification during the preparatory phase. Haiti Health Watch: The Dominican Republic boosts anthrax surveillance as Haitian authorities investigate 13 suspected cases in Grand’Anse, including two deaths, with livestock exposure under review. Haiti in the U.S.: Haitian community leaders and U.S. officials condemned ICE arrests of Haitian parents near a San Diego elementary school, saying enforcement near schools spreads fear to children and families. U.S. Army Probe: The U.S. Army is investigating allegations of bullying of Haitian-born student Pierre Damas Bel at Wright State University before his suicide. Caribbean Remembrance: On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Haitian Times revisits Haitian victims and survivors, highlighting Haitian Americans lost that day. Regional Finance: ECCB hosts a CARICOM-wide central bank communications conference in St. Kitts and Nevis, focused on building public trust through better communication.

US Deportations & Haiti: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged a full investigation into 23 migrant deaths in US detention since the start of 2026 and demanded the US halt deportations to Haiti, warning of “irreparable harm.” Haitian Deportation Fallout: In Ohio, deportation flights out of Akron-Canton Airport have reportedly increased as ICE arrests continue, with protesters watching prison buses load an Eastern Air Express jet. TPS Uncertainty (US): DHS kept Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans “for now” while offering no clear timeline, leaving families in limbo—an uncertainty that echoes fears among Haitians affected by TPS changes. Haiti Security: A young Haitian police officer, Saint Jour Queturah, was killed in an ambush in Bercy (between Cabaret and Arcahaie) amid renewed gang violence. Food & Infrastructure: Haiti’s agriculture faces collapse amid insecurity, climate stress, weak investment, and declining production; meanwhile, Nippes is rehabilitating the Arnaud rural road to help farmers reach markets. Digital Push: NATCOM launched a 5G pilot in Haiti, starting in key areas of Port-au-Prince and Pétion-ville. Economy/Trade: ADIH says the US HOPE/HELP Act was extended duty-free access for Haitian apparel products until Dec. 31, 2028. Local Governance & Services: Haiti’s electoral council reports only 506,953 registered voters as of Sept. 6, with registration far below target.

Education Under Attack: UNESCO warned that attacks on schools are rising, urging protection of learning spaces and support for education in crises, including Haiti. Haiti Elections: Haiti’s voter registration is far behind pace, with fewer than 600,000 registered—under 7% of eligible voters—raising doubts about participation for the Dec. 13 vote. Haitian Deportations & TPS Fallout: U.S. bishops urged an end to mass deportations of Haitians after TPS ended, while Florida advocates rallied for Haitian TPS holders and warned of job losses and family separation. ICE Monitoring Business: A report says ICE GPS ankle monitors are driving profits for a private contractor, with Haitians among those affected. Community Impact in Care: Southwest Florida providers warn a Haitian caregiver labor shortage is worsening after TPS work authorizations were stripped. Regional Security: Haiti’s Violette AC qualified for the Concacaf Caribbean Cup after a win, while Defence Force FC was eliminated. Migration Pressure: Bahamas authorities repatriated 184 Haitian nationals to Cap-Haïtien in an organized operation.

Haiti in the U.S. immigration spotlight: Haitian communities are bracing for the fallout of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) changes, with reports highlighting how work-permit losses are already worsening staffing shortages in senior care facilities in Southwest Florida after Haiti’s TPS termination. Community response: In Ohio, a fundraiser is gaining traction for the family of Pierre Damas Bel, a Haitian student who died by suicide after being forced to wear an ICE ankle monitor, underscoring the human cost of enforcement. Haiti-linked legal case: In federal court in Miami, the last defendant in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, Christian Emmanuel Sanon, is set for trial later this month. Culture and resilience: A Haiti-focused football piece looks at how the sport still builds social cohesion amid gang violence and displacement. Education under attack: International coverage marks Sept. 9’s push to protect schools and universities during conflict, naming Haiti among places facing repeated attacks.

Haiti Deportations and TPS Fallout: Haiti’s Electoral Council (CEP) reshuffled its executive bureau, replacing Jacques Desrosiers with Peterson Pierre-Louis as the country heads toward long-delayed December elections amid mounting criticism of the process. Gang Violence and Kidnapping: Haiti also saw renewed alarm after three public figures were kidnapped within a day, including journalist Wesly Renaud Jean, lawyer Caleb Jean-Baptiste, and ONAPE director general Stéphanie Paultre, underscoring how armed groups are reaching civilians, professionals, and officials. U.S. Immigration Pressure on Haitians: In the U.S., Haitian TPS ended in July, and New York-area advocates say the loss is already destabilizing health care workforces and raising fears of deportation. International Advocacy: Archbishop Paul Coakley urged President Trump to pause enforced Haitian departures, citing violence and attacks on families sheltering at churches. Education Under Attack: Education Above All launched “The Crosswalk” in Paris and Geneva to spotlight attacks on schools as September 9 marks the International Day to Protect Education from Attack. Justice Abroad: A U.S. missionary pleaded guilty to sexually abusing minors in Haiti, with sentencing set for December 15.

Haiti Elections: The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) says 506,953 voters are registered so far for Haiti’s December 13 presidential, legislative, and constitutional vote, with registration running since July 20 and still short of the 4 million target. U.S. Immigration Pressure on Haitians: After Haiti’s TPS ended, Springfield, Ohio’s Haitian community reports intensified ICE activity, including ankle monitors and fear of leaving home, while faith leaders demand changes and say the world is watching Springfield. Deportations and Accountability: A former Haitian official, Renan Hédouville, was deported to Haiti after being held by ICE, where he faces corruption charges tied to alleged embezzlement. International Security in Haiti: Sri Lankan peacekeepers have returned to Haiti, but critics warn there is no formal vetting system in place to screen troops before deployment. Justice for Abuse in Haiti: In federal court, Ohio-based missionary Jeriah Mast pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two boys in Haiti, with sentencing set for December. Education Under Attack: UNESCO and partners mark International Day to Protect Education from Attack as verified school attacks rose sharply in 2025, including in crisis-hit countries like Haiti.

Immigration Crackdown in Springfield: Faith leaders and pastors in Ohio renewed calls for U.S. Rep. Mike Turner and other lawmakers to act to free Haitian ICE detainees and end enforcement in Springfield, including demands to restore Haiti Temporary Protected Status and stop ankle-monitor tracking. Humanitarian Pressure: The same community has been organizing around the death of Haitian student Pierre Damas Bel, with a GoFundMe raising money for his family. UN Peacekeeping Debate: The UN Security Council is set to decide whether to renew Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force, with Sri Lanka’s large troop contribution drawing scrutiny after past UN findings of sexual abuse allegations involving Sri Lankan personnel. Haiti Education Aid: Haiti’s government announced a $17M back-to-school cash-transfer plan for 140,000 parents plus expanded support for vulnerable families, school repairs, and added security for the 2026–2027 school year. U.S. Welfare Politics: Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt linked welfare funding to reporting requirements for people in the U.S. illegally, a move that could widen pressure on states with Haitian residents.

Haiti Migration & TPS Fallout: Haitians deported from the U.S. are arriving in Cap-Haïtien with little more than clothes and court papers, often stranded because gangs control key roads and demand tolls—while the TPS end leaves families scrambling for safety and work. ICE & Human Rights Pressure: UN rights chief Volker Türk demanded accountability after 23 deaths in U.S. immigration custody in 2026, urging Washington to halt removals to high-risk places including Haiti. Community Response in the U.S.: In Brooklyn, the West Indian American Day parade became a public message about the TPS crisis, with Haitian groups using music and culture to push back against detention and deportation fears. Haiti Security Outlook: A new report says gangs are spreading from Port-au-Prince into rural areas with hit-and-run raids, kidnappings, roadblocks, and cattle theft, outpacing a security response focused on the capital. Regional Coordination: CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett urged better coordination of international support for Haiti to avoid duplicated efforts. Haiti Faith & Peacebuilding: Haitian faith leaders and scholars held a forum on how religious communities can help build a culture of peace and nonkilling.

UN Human Rights Watch: UN rights chief Volker Türk opened the 63rd Human Rights Council session in Geneva demanding accountability after 23 deaths in US immigration custody in 2026 and urging Washington to halt deportations to places facing “irreparable harm,” including Haiti. Haiti TPS fallout: Haiti’s TPS ended July 27, stripping legal status and work authorization from about 350,000 Haitians; communities in the US are warning of chaos and renewed danger if people are forced back. Springfield death sparks backlash: US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin called the death of Haitian student Pierre Damas Bel “an unfortunate situation,” as his family links the tragedy to an ICE ankle monitor and fear of deportation. Gangs go rural: A new report says Haitian armed gangs are expanding beyond Port-au-Prince into countryside areas with raids, kidnappings, roadblocks and cattle theft. Diaspora culture in Brooklyn: Haitians marked Labor Day and the West Indian Day Parade with pride amid TPS losses, while WIADCA’s VIP Breakfast highlighted Caribbean leadership and community ties.

UN Accountability on Deportations: UN rights chief Volker Türk demanded accountability for deaths in US immigration custody and urged Washington to halt removals to places like Haiti where people face “irreparable harm.” TPS Fallout in Florida: A Supreme Court shift ending TPS for Haitians is already triggering caregiver and staffing shortages in Palm Beach County, threatening care for vulnerable seniors. Haitians Facing Deportation Chaos: Reports describe deportees arriving broke and scared as flights continue to Cap-Haïtien amid insecurity and limited support. ICE Crackdowns Fuel Fear: DHS says ICE set record arrest numbers in August, while Haitian communities in the US brace for more enforcement. Haiti Election Under Fire: With Dec. 13 elections planned, gang violence is disrupting campaigning and raising fears that whole communities can’t reach polling places. Caribbean Border Pressure: The Dominican Republic is building more border fencing with Haiti to curb smuggling, while Dominican immigration raids detained 38 Haitians at food businesses. Diaspora Culture Under Pressure: New York’s Labor Day West Indian Day Parade will feature major Haitian bands, with organizers calling it a defiant moment amid TPS losses and detention fears.

Haitian TPS fallout in the U.S.: Families and advocates say the end of Temporary Protected Status is ripping through care networks and daily life, including reports that Haitian caregivers were laid off and disabled Americans lost essential support after Haitian TPS protections ended. ICE pressure and raids: In Indianapolis, ICE raids have sparked fear and political backlash, while in the Dominican Republic, immigration inspectors detained 38 Haitians during checks at food establishments in Santo Domingo. Deportations and community grief: Haitian student Pierre Damas Bel’s death after losing status has intensified calls for ICE reform and raised questions about the mental toll of enforcement. Border crackdown in the region: The Dominican Republic has started building new border fencing with Haiti to curb smuggling, adding watchtowers and patrol lanes. Diaspora and culture: New York City leaders urged Haitians to attend the Labor Day Caribbean parade, stressing the city does not coordinate with ICE. Humanitarian and local help: A Hands Helping Haiti forum in Hackensack will highlight clean-water support for families in southeast Haiti.