A welcome center for Haitian immigrants deported from the United States has opened in Cap-Haïtien. The Centre D’Accueil-Bedrock, which translates to “Welcome Center-Bedrock,” provides temporary shelter and support for deportees, many of whom arrive with few belongings.
The facility offers meals, accommodation, and hygiene supplies to help ease the transition for those returning to Haiti. Dr. Geralde Gabeau from the Immigrant Family Services Institute in Mattapan, Massachusetts, emphasized the importance of providing assistance to deportees, stating, “We cannot turn our backs on those people who have suffered so much.” His organization collaborated with local partners to establish the center.
The opening of the center coincided with intensified deportation flights from the U.S. Following a June ruling by the Supreme Court that allowed the rollback of protections for approximately 330,000 Haitians, temporary protected status for Haiti officially expired on July 27. This change affects at least 19,000 people in Massachusetts, exposing them to potential detention and deportation.
Since August 20, deportation flights to Haiti have increased to once a week, following the end of temporary protected status. With plans for expansion to include more flights into Port-au-Prince, the need for support services in Haiti has become increasingly urgent. The center officially began operations last Wednesday, a day before a scheduled deportation flight.
Prior to the official opening, staff members began distributing emergency packages, including essential items like toothbrushes and towels, to deportees at a local police station. This week, the center is set to welcome its first group of deportees, coordinating transportation through Haiti’s Office National de la Migration. Currently, some deportees receive funding for a one-night stay at a local hotel but must check out early the next morning due to limited availability.
Dr. Gabeau noted the lack of infrastructure in Cap-Haïtien to support returning immigrants and described the ongoing deportations as exacerbating an already difficult situation. She expressed concern that the influx of deportees could contribute to heightened instability in the city.
The newly opened center can currently accommodate 56 individuals per night, with plans to secure additional bunk beds to increase capacity. It also offers access to psychological support, which is especially crucial for those entering the facility in distressing circumstances.
A coalition of local and international organizations has collaborated to support the center, including Ayiti Home Link, United For Women Empowerment, and the Fondation Alfred Beliard. The overall project has reportedly cost at least $100,000, and efforts to enhance services and support staff will continue.
