Immigration and Customs Enforcement is preparing to deport at least 100 Haitians, including five who claim to have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, on a plane to their homeland.
Two passengers scheduled to be deported Monday, Stephane Etienne and Mackendy Calice, confirmed to HuffPost, which obtained a manifest of the flight, that they had tested positive for the coronavirus. Three others on the flight have also tested positive, according to the Boston-based nonprofit organization, the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti.
Deporting people known to be infected with the virus violates United States and global public health guidelines designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
While some foreign governments, immigrant advocacy groups, and lawmakers have expressed their concerns over having deportations during the pandemic, the New York Times reported last month that the Trump administration has been adamant about curbing illegal immigration even amid the outbreak. Thousands have reportedly been deported to their home countries in recent weeks, including some who tested positive for the virus.
In March, several Guatemalans deported by ICE tested positive for the virus shortly after returning to their home country. Youth deportations have also risen following strict border protections during the pandemic. President Trump has said he wanted to block any migrants potentially carrying the COVID-19 virus from entering the U.S. during this time.
Haiti has less than 200 coronavirus cases, with 17 recovered and 15 deaths.
