US to deport permanent residents over alleged support to Haitian gang leaders

22/7/2025 6:16

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday paved the way for the United States to deport certain lawful permanent residents, saying Washington determined some had supported Haitian gang leaders connected to a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.



Rubio in a statement said certain U.S. lawful permanent residents had supported and collaborated with gang leaders tied to Viv Ansanm, the armed alliance that controls most of Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince, which President Donald Trump's administration labeled a Foreign Terrorist Organization in May.



Following the determination, the Department of Homeland Security can pursue the deportation of the lawful permanent residents, Rubio added. It was unclear how many people could be targeted for deportation and no individuals were named in the statement.



The move comes as the Trump administration has sought to ramp up deportations as part of its wide-ranging efforts to fulfill the president's hardline immigration agenda, with Rubio making unprecedented use of his power to try to revoke the visas and green cards of pro-Palestinian protesters.