Haitian voters in Florida weigh in on “even shot” Biden promised in 2020

Editor’s Note: As early voting gets underway, The Haitian Times is interviewing Haitian American voters across our communities to see how they’re casting their ballots. Here’s one installment focused on Haitians in Florida, where Biden campaigned in 2020 on giving the community an “even shot.”

KISSIMMEE, Fla.— From immigration reform and economic opportunity to foreign aid addressing Haiti’s political crisis, President Joe Biden’s pledge in 2020 to provide an “even shot” to Haitian Americans resonated deeply within this community. Four years later, opinions on whether the administration delivered vary. 

Cathleen Jeanty, a foreign policy researcher at the Washington D.C.-based think tank Haiti Policy House (HPH), offers a perspective echoing throughout Haitian communities. 

“Though Biden’s administration did deliver for Haiti in many ways,” Jeanty said. “The progress was entirely too incremental to be categorized as a full-scale win that Haitians and the Haitian Diaspora who voted for him had hoped for.”

Jeanty’s assessment matches a recent national survey about Haitians in the U.S., the Haitian Times/CHIP50 national survey, that found 44% of Haitian Americans view the Biden-Harris administration’s impact on Haiti positively and another 16% viewed it negatively.

Following are views from Haitian American voters based in Florida, whose perspectives may help explain the data. They spoke with The Haitian Times during the early voting period.

Mixed reviews on Biden’s immigration policies

One of Biden’s most ambitious 2020 campaign promises was to reform U.S. immigration policies affecting Haitians, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and asylum. He did that in January 2021, shielding thousands from deportation to a turmoil-filled country. This is an approach that contrasted sharply with former President Trump’s stance.

“In 2016, Trump promised to be our champion when he needed our vote, but then attempted to revoke TPS for thousands of Haitians,”.

“In contrast, Biden did extend TPS, but many hoped for a permanent pathway to residency,” said Mérilia Joseph, 53, a patient care technician based in Orlando. 

Biden’s administration also implemented the humanitarian parole (CHNV) for vulnerable people. Dubbed the “Biden program,” it allows sponsored Haitians to enter the U.S. legally. So far, more than 214,000 Haitians have arrived.

Some early voters see these policies as positive, even as comprehensive immigration reform remains stalled.

“I’m grateful for the TPS extension and the Biden program because they’ve kept many families safe,” said Anilus Pierre-Paul, a Fort Lauderdale resident.

Although Pierre-Paul has recently welcomed relatives from Haiti under the program, he added, “Without a permanent solution, there’s still uncertainty. “

In Haiti, some see financial aid without impact

With little progress made on the crises in Haiti under Biden’s watch, voters also voiced frustration over U.S. involvement they see as ineffective.

“Haiti’s security crisis is worse now than four years ago, with gang violence paralyzing the economy and daily life. Washington’s response has felt piecemeal,” said Miralène Louis, a Palm Beach State College student and first-time voter from Lantana.

“We needed more than financial aid. We needed a coordinated plan,” said Louis, whose parents are from Liancourt, a gang-infested commune in the Artibonite department. 

Louis is referring to the millions of dollars in humanitarian aid pledged to Haiti and support for the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) and the Haitian National Police (PNH).

Biden also promised to support free and fair elections in Haiti and a “Haitian-led” democratic process.

That did not happen either. Many critics believe the U.S. could have applied more pressure on Haitian authorities to prioritize governance and democracy-building.

Marc Gravil, a voter in Kissimmee, said the administration’s approach seems more symbolic than strategic.

 “Despite the millions pledged, little has changed on the ground,” Gravil, an electrical engineer, said. “The administration’s measures seemed like attempts to show involvement rather than solving the core issues.”

Still, Gravil voted for Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz at an early polling location in Kissimmee.

On the humanitarian assistance front, Haitian Americans appreciated the $400 million in aid pledged after the 2021 earthquake. But challenges remain in ensuring funds reach those in need.

Gratitude and limitations for economic and healthcare programs

Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act and Inflation Reduction Act boosted Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), benefiting many Haitian Americans through health subsidies. However, promises like the public insurance option and extended crisis unemployment for pandemic recovery fell short.

“Though the Biden’s administration did deliver for Haiti in many ways, the progress was entirely too incremental to be categorized as a full-scale win that Haitians and the Haitian Diaspora who voted for him had hoped for.”

Cathleen Jeanty, Foreign Policy Researcher at Haiti Policy House

For some in the community, these initiatives did not sufficiently reduce systemic inequality or economic challenges. 

“We’ve seen some positive impacts, but they don’t target us directly,” said Dr. Murfy Morantus, a physician in Parkland. “Our communities are still underrepresented.”

“We need more advocacy, stronger political allies in Congress, and policies that treat Haiti as a true partner, not just as a place in need of rescue,” Morantus said.

After making the marquee campaign promise to extend crisis unemployment insurance for those who lost work in the pandemic and an aid package for small businesses, Biden took several steps toward economic recovery. His American Rescue Plan (ARP) expanded unemployment benefits and offered financial relief to businesses and families.                                                                                                                                                    

However, several proposals of Biden’s Build Back Better program that would have extended both policies stalled in Congress. Instead, the administration prioritized tax credits and health insurance subsidies, including expanding child tax credits.                                       

Still, critics say, such policies have not significantly spurred sustainable economic growth in their communities nor closed the wealth gap or lowered the rising cost of living.     

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Haitian voters in Florida weigh in on “even shot” Biden promised in 2020 was first posted on November 1, 2024 at 3:09 pm.