Rejecting Haitian Refugees: Haitian Boatpeople in the Early 1990s

Abstract

The United States government’s reactions and policies against Haitian refugees following Aristide’s overthrow in 1991 were discriminatory, contradictory, politically motivated, and disregarding of human rights. With a history of racism and prejudice towards Haitians, the US allowed forced repatriation, harsh detention, and the denial of temporary protected status to shape its handling of desperate Haitian boatpeople. Yet, with the use of their own political, social, and cultural agency, and their historical concept of unity, the Haitian Diaspora fought vehemently against the cruel injustices of Haitian refugees by the United States government.