Be Better Biden

The Biden administration faces criticism; Haitian migrants are mistreated at the border

Megan Valadez / Assistant Opinion Editor / The USD Vista

The world is watching. It is always watching. Over the past few weeks, disturbing photos and videos surfaced of Border Patrol agents on horseback, harming Haitian migrants. Many people, including myself, watched something straight out of the 1800s happen in 2021. 

Haiti has been in the news a lot recently. From the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse back in July, to recent natural disasters like the 7.2 magnitude eathquake last month, rising gang violence, and extremely high COVID numbers. These crises have made Haitians feel there is no other option but to leave the country. 

In late September, around 15,000 Haitian nationals, migrants, and asylum seekers arrived in Del Rio, Texas. Many of these people ended up living in tents under tarps, unsure of what their next move would be. 

Many Haitians live in South America, and have for many years. If those who have been living in South American countries get caught by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), they are deported back to Haiti, not South America, despite having most recently lived there. 

The Biden administration has already expelled more Haitians back to Haiti, without granting them asylum hearings, than the Trump administration. According to the Department of Homeland Security, there were more than 2,000 Haitians on deportation flights back to Haiti, this past month.

Photographs and video footage show agents interacting with migrants in disturbing ways. Border Patrol agents are seen corralling Haitians, gripping and waiving reins, which prompted accusations that agents have been using whips. 

Many people have said that the footage does not represent who we are as a country, but I would argue that it does. We are a country that has a history of not treating migrants and refugees with respect. DHS and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) treat Mexican immigrants who try to  cross the border every single day just like this.

Children are separated from their parents, and forced to sleep on cold, concrete floors with nothing to keep them warm. Women are assaulted in detention centers by immigration agents. No matter where someone is from; Mexico, South America, or Haiti, the United States has made it very clear that they are not welcome. And that needs to change. 

I feel almost helpless in situations like this. As a Mexican woman, I am a constant witness to the horrors of immigration agents and border patrol. Seeing the violence and trauma that the people of my culture face tears me apart. Seeing anyone treated without respect just because of the color of their skin fills me with rage. It makes me wonder what more I can do, but then I remember I am just one person, and, it’s unfortunately, up to government officials and people with more power.  

Vice President Kamala Harris called the treatment of Haitian migrants “horrible” and said, “Humans should never be treated that way… And I’m deeply troubled about it.” I am quite conflicted by her statement because, yes, I agree with her statement, but Vice President Harris also has a history of telling migrants not to come to the border because they will just get sent back. If she, and so many other government officials, advocate for better immigration policies, they need to put their money where their mouth is and do more to help migrants. 

The DHS opened a full investigation into the actions taken by Border Patrol and said in a tweet that they are reviewing footage and taking the abuse allegations against migrants “very seriously.” 

Nevertheless, the humanitarian crisis happening at the border is severe. Migrants are sleeping on the dirt with sweltering temperatures around them, and there are no sanitation facilities. Mass deportations demonstrate that the government is not committed to upholding the rights of migrants and asylum seekers and are instead sending them back to danger. 

These photos of Border Patrol on horseback “remind us of some troubling moments in history, where that kind of behavior was seen against the Indigenous people of our country and against African Americans during times of slavery,” Kamala Harris said. Immigration agents target every single group of color, dating back to the Texas Rangers in the early 1900s. 

The Biden administration is extremely aggressive in their immigration policies, saying migrants do not have a place in the United States. 

And for most migrants, we aren’t even going to allow them to make a case for why they should be here, therefore we are automatically going to deny them the chance to apply for asylum. 

America is supposed to be a welcoming country for all people seeking freedom and asylum. Immigration is fine when it comes from the U.S. – Canada border, but has negative connotations and consequences when it comes from the U.S. – Mexico border. It is so disturbing to see violence and racism from a country that is supposed to be welcoming for all. 

For the country that stands for liberty and justice for all, “for all” is supposed to be inclusive, not discriminatory. In this country, we are supposed to provide and protect liberty and justice for all individuals regardless of gender, race, or status. 

With the humanitarian crisis at the border, we have not seen liberty and justice for all. There is not even liberty and justice for the people that live in this country. 

The current Biden administration needs to do more to welcome all migrants, hear their stories, and give them a chance in this country, instead of immediately turning them away. Be better Biden.