Haiti among a dozen countries on federal travel ban
A travel ban recently announced by the Trump administration is set to take effect on Monday.
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A travel ban recently announced by the Trump administration is set to take effect on Monday.
The administration says the move is a matter of safety.
One of 12 countries on that list is Haiti.
Spring Valley is said to have the largest Haitian population in the U.S. population outside of the Caribbean country.
"I don't think the way they're treating us is OK," said Wilner Baptiste about the latest travel ban news.
He's been in Spring Valley for 40 years since leaving Haiti.
He does not think the Caribbean country is a threat like the other nations, considering its history with the U.S.
"The U.S. has all the control of Haiti. They're the ones who put in presidents, take out presidents and do everything in Haiti," says Baptiste.
The country has been dealing with violence and gangs in recent years.
News 12 has interviewed people who fled the country looking for safety in America.
Rep. Mike Lawler is calling for the administration to reverse the decision on Haiti.
The Republican lawmaker believes there is no evidence that the country is a breeding ground for terrorism that threatens national security.
"If the administration wants to keep them on the ban, they should be treated the same way as Cuba and Venezuela," says Lawler.
He is looking to meet with federal officials and department leaders to address the ban and find ways to improve the climate there.
