Overview

• On July 21, the Trump administration announced plans to deport Haitian lawful permanent residents deemed to have supported or collaborated with the Viv Ansanm gang under its FTO designation.
• It follows May’s designation of Viv Ansanm along with Gran Grif as foreign terrorist organisations, which expanded sanctions and removal powers.
• Authorities are invoking broad powers under the Immigration and Nationality Act to expel permanent residents whose presence is judged harmful to US foreign policy.
• Critics question the low evidentiary standards that target individuals based on tattoos or gang-affiliated clothing, warning of due process violations.
• The policy builds on efforts to end Haitian humanitarian parole; a judge has blocked the related attempt to terminate temporary protected status until February 2026.