Former Presidential Candidate Arrested By ICE To Remain In Detention
A well-known Haitian entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, who has been accused of collaborating with armed gangs in Haiti, will remain in US immigration custody for the time being.
Pierre Reginald Boulos recently appeared in immigration court and is required to return next month, as a judge at the Krome North Service Processing Center ruled that he could not be released, according to the Miami Herald.
“The immigration judge determined that Dr. Boulos was subject to mandatory detention at this stage of the proceedings, in accordance with a seldom-invoked regulation,” stated his attorney, Atara Eig, who is representing him along with other lawyers from the law firm of Candela, Eig & Jurgens. “We have reserved the right to appeal this matter and will be submitting a notice of appeal within the next 30 days.”
Eig mentioned that the forthcoming hearing, set for August 26, will focus on procedural matters. Boulos, a lawful permanent resident born in New York who renounced his US citizenship several years ago, was detained on July 17 in Palm Beach County due to an immigration violation and is currently being held at the Krome detention center.
Although no substantial arguments were presented on Thursday, the attorneys indicated their plan to contest a prior ruling that allowed for his release. Boulos, a trained physician who considered a run for the presidency in Haiti, appeared in court shortly after 8 a.m. on Thursday, dressed in orange.
His children and other family members, some attending in person and others online, were present as his hearing commenced. After Eig raised concerns regarding safety, Judge Jorge Pereira closed the session to those observing online.
In social media statements and a release following his detention, the agency accused him of “contributing to the destabilization of Haiti” by engaging in violent activities and collaborating with armed gangs.
On July 17, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations apprehended Pierre Reginald Boulos, a lawful permanent resident of the United States and a citizen of Haiti, for breaching the Immigration and Nationality Act, which has contributed to the destabilization of Haiti,” ICE stated.
Boulos faces allegations of inciting violence and providing support to gangs in Haiti, actions that ICE asserts have led to the destabilization of the nation and could result in “serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”
“The Department of State has concluded that certain individuals holding U.S. lawful permanent resident status have aided and collaborated with Haitian gang leaders associated with Viv Ansanm, a Haitian foreign terrorist organization,” an ICE release indicated. “The United States will not permit individuals to benefit from legal status in our country while they are enabling the activities of violent organizations or supporting criminal terrorist groups abroad.”
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The federal agency has also indicated that Boulos did not reveal his participation in establishing a political party in Haiti, known as the Mouvement pour la Transformation et la Valorisation d’Haiti (MTVAyiti). Furthermore, he was referred by the Haitian government’s Unit for the Fight Against Corruption due to allegations of loan misuse.
According to ICE, these omissions may amount to immigration fraud and could warrant his deportation.
“These recent actions reflect the Trump administration’s steadfast dedication to safeguarding the American populace, enhancing our national security interests, and fostering regional security and stability,” stated ICE.
Boulos is currently detained at the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations facility in Miami.
The investigation was conducted by the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service alongside the US Citizenship and Immigration Service’s Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate.
“MTVAyiti is a political movement inspired by the Desalinian principles of National Unity, Social Justice, National Sovereignty, and the revitalization of the Economy. The movement is rooted in the values of Pride, Greatness, Efficiency, and Rationality as espoused by King Christophe,” as stated on the website of the party established by Boulos.
Jean-Jacques Dessalines, referenced in the party’s objectives, was a Haitian revolutionary and the founding father of the nation following its independence in 1804.