The recent hateful rhetoric directed at Haitian migrants by figures like former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance is a shame. Their comments, loaded with white supremacist connotations, are not only vile but dangerous.

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These attacks are more than a political posture: they are dehumanizing and put lives in danger. This is not only an insult to Haitian migrants; it is an insult to all of us who believe in human dignity, justice, truth and the American Constitution.

At a time when people are fleeing devastation and life-threatening circumstances in search of safety and opportunity, those with influence should use their platforms to advocate compassion, not to stoke fear and hatred.

Instead, we witnessed a reckless disregard for the humanity of Haitian migrants. Calling them an “invasion” does more than mislead the public: it stirs up dangerous emotions and legitimizes xenophobic violence. These comments are not without consequences.

Let us be clear: Haitian migrants are not and have never been a threat to the United States. They are not invaders. These are individuals seeking refuge and a better life, just like the countless immigrants who came to this country before them – even those from Europe.

And let’s not forget the deep historical connection between the United States and Haiti. Without the Haitian Revolution of 1804 – which defeated one of the most powerful colonial forces of the era – the United States might not exist as it does today.

Haiti’s victory over French rule led to Napoleon’s decision to sell the Louisiana Territory to the United States, thereby doubling that country’s size and allowing its westward expansion. The Haitian people’s struggle for freedom had a direct and lasting impact on the trajectory of American history. That the descendants of slaves who fought for freedom are now vilified by those who benefit from their freedom is not only hypocritical but deeply offensive.

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Yet Haitians have become scapegoats for political purposes, as they have been throughout history. These baseless attacks ignore the fact that Haitian migrants, like everyone else, are fleeing a country, a culture and a climate that most of us can barely imagine.

Many have faced natural disasters, extreme poverty and ongoing political instability. For them, migration is not a choice; it is a necessity. And they deserve our empathy, not our contempt.

It is worrying to note that former President Trump made several inflammatory statements against the Haitian people that contribute to this environment of hatred and incomprehension. Among his most notable remarks are:

• “Haiti is a shithole country” – During a 2018 meeting, Trump reportedly called Haiti and other African countries “shithole countries,” expressing a preference for immigrants from countries like Norway.
• Characterizations of Haitian Immigrants – Trump suggested that Haitian immigrants “all have AIDS,” implying that they pose a health risk to Americans, which is both false and deeply offensive.
• Comments on immigration policies – Trump has repeatedly called policies regarding Haitian migrants undesirable, pushing for stricter immigration controls that would disproportionately and discriminately affect people from Haiti.
• Misleading claims about the Haitian community – He falsely accused Haitian migrants of criminality and portrayed them as burdens on American society, fueling negative stereotypes, clearly ignoring the contributions and humanity of these individuals.

More recently, the discourse around Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants has become extremely controversial. The former President states and advocates for the revocation of TPS, which perpetuates harmful narratives that undermine the very real crises Haiti faces today. Amid ongoing political instability, gang violence, and natural disasters, calls to revoke TPS ignore the grave risks these individuals would face if forced to return to a country experiencing unrest.

But there is an even more disturbing pattern here, one that we have seen play out repeatedly: the dehumanization of black people to justify policies aimed at stripping them of their rights and dignity.

This is nothing new. The denigration of Haitian migrants reflects the same racist tactics used throughout American history to justify oppression. It is an extension of the same ideology once used to keep black people enslaved and then segregated.

White supremacists have long attempted to rewrite history to erase the contribution of black people to the evolution of this country. But we cannot allow this revisionism to continue. The Haitian people, both in Haiti and in the United States, have been instrumental in the fight for civil rights and justice. They fought for freedom at every turn, and their contributions cannot and should not be erased or minimized.

The Florida State Branch Conference of the NAACP and the South Dade NAACP Branch strongly oppose this rhetoric. We will not allow those in power to incite hatred against any group of people, especially those who are vulnerable and seeking refuge.

We must hold our leaders accountable for their words, because those words have real consequences. They fuel violence and harassment. They justify inhumane and unconstitutional policies. They spread lies and deception.

For me, this is not about politics, but about basic human decency and respect. We cannot allow white supremacist rhetoric to continue unchecked. We cannot stand idly by while a group of people are vilified and scapegoated simply because they are seeking a better life.

To those who demonize Haitian migrants: your comments are reckless, dangerous and un-American. They constitute an affront to the ideals of justice, equality and freedom that this nation claims to cherish. But we, the people, will no longer remain silent. We will continue to fight for the dignity and rights of all people, regardless of their background or background.

The contributions of the Haitian people to American history are undeniable, and we owe them a debt of gratitude, not contempt. It is time that we remember our history and treat our Haitian brothers and sisters with respect and dignity.

Harold Ford

HAROLD FORD is the president of NAACP South Dade Branch. He is also the 5th Vice President of the Florida State Branch Conference of the NAACP. An educator, he served 26 years in Miami-Dade public schools.