Miami-Dade leaders react to Donald Trump’s new ‘xenophobic’ travel ban

President Donald Trump‘s travel ban on and restrictions on 19 countries includes Haiti, Cuba and Venezuela, which is going to impact this community more than most. It means that, as of Monday, the United States will suspend the issuance of most immigrant and non-immigrant visas for Cubans and Venezuelans, while fully banning entry from Haitians.
And local electeds are reacting with concern.
“Miami-Dade is home to the largest Haitian, Cuban and Venezuelan communities in the U.S., and I am deeply concerned by this decision which further divides us as Americans and harms hard-working families contributing to the essential fabric of the community,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
“We learned from past travel bans that the end result is families being divided and loved ones unable to see each other. The work of our federal government should be to protect our borders and pass comprehensive immigration reform, not tear down our communities.”
Trump writes in the order that:

“Cuba is a state sponsor of terrorism. The Government of Cuba does not cooperate or share sufficient law enforcement information with the United States. Cuba has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals.’
Venezuela “lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.”
Haiti, has a 31% visitor visa overstay rate and mass migration from Haiti creates “acute risks of increased overstay rates, establishment of criminal networks, and other national security threats.”

There are some exemptions, according to the New York Times, including athletes competing in the FIFA World Cup matches next year. But nada on fans. Ladra is pretty sure the FIFA is going to pull out of the U.S and schedule those matches in Canada and Mexico, which are already co-hosting the tournament.
“I am deeply disheartened,” said Hatian-born Miami-Dade Commissioner Marleine Bastien, whose District includes one of the largest Haitian communities in the country. “This is not only a cruel and xenophobic policy proposal – it is a blatant attempt to scapegoat an already suffering people. This unjust policy will sow chaos in our communities, separating families, and disrupting lives.
Read related: Campaign ramps up vs Miami’s Cuban, Republican congressional delegation
“The Haitian Community has long been a cornerstone of Miami-Dade County, contributing to its culture, economy, and strength. Targeting Haiti in this manner is not just only discriminatory, but a betrayal of the values America claims to uphold – compassion, justice, and opportunity for all,” Bastien said in a statement Thursday, citing the hypocrisy in the administration’s policy.
“If Haiti is truly ‘unsafe,’ as President Trump now claims, then why did his administration terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals and cancel the CHNV (Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan) parole program for Haiti? The contradictions in his statements highlight the lack of genuine concern for the Haitian people and reveal a disturbing pattern of punitive, anti-immigrant policies targeting Black and Brown communities.”
Bastien also said that the U.S. bears some of the responsibility for the situation in Haiti.
“Let us be clear: the current crisis in Haiti is not occurring in a vacuum. Haiti’s instability is the direct result of decades of international interference, including the actions of successive U.S. administrations that have undermined Haitian democracy, supported illegitimate regimes, and crippled the country’s capacity for self-determination. Our Haitian brothers and sisters are now facing the consequences of policies and interventions that were never designed with their wellbeing in mind.
“Instead of banning Haitians, the United States must take responsibility for its role in creating the crisis and act with compassion, justice, and accountability. That starts with reinstating TPS and the CHNV program for Haiti, supporting Haitian-led solutions to restore security and democracy, and rejecting fear-based rhetoric that seeks to dehumanize our community.”
In Doral, Venezuelans, many of whom supported Donald Trump, gathered at El Arapazo — the same place where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Sen. Rick Scott sought votes in 2014 blasting the Venezuelan government — to express outrage. Some are fearful that their work permits will be revoked. Others are upset that their family members won’t be able to visit.
Adelys Ferro, executive director of the Venezuelan American Caucus, told the Miami Herald that the ban targeted nations that are already struggling and immigrants, and their families, that are not white.
Read related: Maria Elvira Salazar takes credit for judge extending TPS for Venezuelans
“They didn’t even try to hide the racism, discrimination, and xenophobia when drawing up this list,” she said. “The countries affected are all places devastated by war, dictatorship, famine and death.”
On Instagram, she posted an avatar waving and asking “Where are my MAGA friends?”
They’re either applauding, Ms. Ferro, or they simply don’t care.
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