Migration is usually framed as a complex problem requiring complex solutions. While elements of this are true, the reality results in a fairly simplistic and ignorant response to migrants. The Caribbean, long following in the steps of the paternal West has maintained a dangerous culture of xenophobia. The centring of anti-Black and anti-poor ideologies has resulted in an environment of harmful discrimination and ethnic insensitivity amongst the region’s most vulnerable members.
Although there are always factors of elitist competition amongst CARICOM states, Haiti is rarely even involved in these, as they have long been considered an unwanted outsider. This has resulted in a long history of Haitian nationals being unable to freely move across the region. Today the Haitian passport remains one of the most limited passports in the Caribbean and Latin America. Only in 2018 were visa requirements removed for Haitians, granting them automatic six-month entry into CARICOM member states. Visa requirements were in 2019 reinstated by Barbados and Dominica.
While Guyana has not re-implemented visa requirements as yet, we might not be far off from that. Our continued antagonisms against Haitians have long been a State policy, regardless of who is in power. Today, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic continues to abide (not surprisingly) with the Trumpian migration policies of the West. Their stance became even more apparent in 2018. It must not be disregarded that the ramped up narrative of Haitian illegal entry/exit was done in the periods before and after the no-confidence motion. With Haiti being a predominantly Black country and the former APNU+AFC coalition being a predominantly Black administration, anti-Haitian sentiments were deliberately stoked in an attempt to increase anti-Black ethnic fear and insensitivity. Sections of the media through careless reporting have and continue to contribute towards the maintained inflammatory narratives that surround Haitians.
Haitians are the only group of migrants that are regularly targeted and discriminated against to this level. While Cuban and Venezuelan migrants do experience some amount of discrimination, it is unmatched to the mistreatment faced by Haitians. It is not a coincidence that these countries have large populations that physically adhere more closely to white ideals.
Much as the excuse of trafficking and smuggling concerns were being pushed then to discriminate against Haitians, so too they continue to be utilized now. Twenty-six Haitian nationals, who were illegally detained for weeks under the fabricated excuse of protecting them, are now being deported over allegations of submitting false addresses. There of course seems to be very little sympathy from the larger population over the mistreatment of the Haitian nationals. Guyanese can so clearly understand xenophobia and discrimination when they travel to neighbouring countries such as Barbados and Trinidad, but draw a blank when it comes to their actions towards Haitians. With Guyana’s majority population residing outside of its borders, (many being there in an illegal capacity) one would think we would become a bit more sensitive to the plight of those seeking better opportunities for themselves and families.
Given heightened economic instability caused by COVID-19, xenophobic rhetoric and actions will continue to grow unfortunately. Migrants are always targeted as being the cause of economic downturns wherever they go. Many countries, from the Dominican Republic (DR) to Chile have perpetuated immense harm against Haitian populations due to anti-Blackness and job security fears. Amongst DR incidents that stand out are, the erasure of birthright citizenship of Haitians (since reinstated) and the Parsley Massacre where an estimated 20,000-30,000 Haitians were killed.
Haitians continue to face immense challenges when seeking to move towards safety and better opportunities, often resulting in imprisonment, deportation and verbal and physical attacks. This is not by pure chance. Through internal and carefully directed external influence, Haiti’s political instability, poverty and propensity for natural disasters have resulted in it remaining woefully underdeveloped and discriminated against. Haiti was framed as a pariah state by colonial powers ever since it became the Americas’ first independent Black nation in 1804. With the best of liberatory intentions, Haiti opened its doors as a safe haven to those who were oppressed. It is a cruel joke that so many doors remain closed to Haitians now.
We have adapted the individualistic stance of our former colonial masters, where the lone is prioritized over the collective. So in spite of the treaties and understandings made, nations continue their march towards becoming the North Star of the Caribbean, while plans for regional cohesion and growth are left to gather dust.
