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RESOLUTION URGING PRESIDENT JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR., SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS, AND THE ENTIRE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO (1) HALT ALL DEPORTATIONS TO HAITI, (2) ENHANCE SECURITY PROTECTION FOR U.S. EMBASSY STAFF IN HAITI AND ALL AMERICAN NATIONALS IN HAITI, (3) HELP HAITIAN NATIONAL POLICE SECURE PEACE AND ADVANCE LAW AND ORDER WITHIN HAITI�S BORDERS, (4) ASSIST IN THE INVESTIGATION OF THE ASSASSINATION OF HAITI�S LATE PRESIDENT JOVENEL MOISE, (5) HELP STABILIZE HAITI TO ENSURE PEACEFUL DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS FREE OF CORRUPTION AND ASSIST IN THE TRANSITION PROCESS, INCLUDING DIPLOMATIC INTERVENTION, AND (6) COORDINATE AN INTERNATIONAL EFFORT FOR HUMANITARIAN AID AND SUPPORT IN HAITI

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WHEREAS, on July 7, 2021, Haiti�s President Jovenel Moise was assassinated after a group of individuals stormed his Port-au-Prince home and shot him and his wife, killing him and severely injuring his wife in a deadly and highly coordinated attack; and
WHEREAS, the shocking assassination has exacerbated conditions in Haiti, which, as Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas noted, had already been �experiencing serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty, [ ] lack of basic resources� and the disastrous effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, turmoil and anarchy has emerged in some parts of Haiti since the assassination, with rivaling political groups clamoring for power, two competing prime ministers seeking control of the government, Parliament failing to function properly, and crowds of people gathering at the U.S. Embassy in the hopes of receiving assistance with leaving the country; and
WHEREAS, on July 15, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. announced that the United States will bolster security at the U.S. embassy in Haiti following the assassination in Haiti; and
WHEREAS, in light of the disorder and fear among some Americans in Haiti who have gathered at the U.S. Embassy, it is critical that the U.S. government enhance security protection for not only U.S. Embassy staff but also all Americans living in Haiti; and
WHEREAS, Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph has requested that the U.S. send troops to help stabilize the country by securing peace and advancing law and order within Haiti�s borders; and
WHEREAS, White House spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, reported that the White House is still reviewing the request; and
WHEREAS, such request should be granted as it will also achieve enhanced protection for Americans in Haiti; and
WHEREAS, the United States must also engage in diplomatic intervention and assist in Haiti�s transition process to ensure peaceful democratic elections free of corruption because, according to Spokeswoman Psaki, it is evident that �there is a lack of clarity about the future of political leadership [in Haiti]�; and
WHEREAS, Spokeswoman Psaki determined this after a team of U.S. officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, State Department, and the National Security Council returned from a trip to Haiti to assess the situation on the ground in the country; and
WHEREAS, in addition, further investigation is needed about the specifics of the assassination plot; and
WHEREAS, although there have been arrests and U.S. officials have reviewed the security of critical infrastructure with Haitian government officials, it is critical that more is done by the United States to actively assist in the investigation of President Moise�s assassination; and
WHEREAS, in addition to human rights abuses, debilitating poverty, and the devastating effects of the pandemic, the dire situation in Haiti leaves the country, its citizens, residents, and visitors uncertain about their future and the future of the country, and fearful about continued violence and upheaval; and
WHEREAS, in light of the current conditions in Haiti, the United States must halt deportations to Haiti and coordinate an international effort for humanitarian aid and support in Haiti; and
WHEREAS, this Board stands with all of those suffering in Haiti during these troubling times and urges President Biden, Secretary Mayorkas, and the entire Biden administration to (1) halt deportations to Haiti, (2) enhance security protection for U.S. Embassy staff and all American nationals in Haiti, (3) help Haitian National Police secure peace and advance law and order within Haiti�s borders, (4) assist in the investigation of the assassination of Haiti�s late President Jovenel Moise, (5) help stabilize Haiti to ensure peaceful democratic elections free of corruption and assist in the transition process, including diplomatic intervention, and (6) coordinate an international effort for humanitarian aid and support in Haiti,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and the entire Biden administration to:
(1) halt deportations to Haiti;
(2) enhance security protection for U.S. Embassy staff and all American nationals in Haiti;
(3) help Haitian National Police secure peace and advance law and order within Haiti�s borders;
(4) assist in the investigation of the assassination of Haiti�s late President Jovenel Moise;
(5) help stabilize Haiti to ensure peaceful democratic elections free of corruption and assist in the transition process, including diplomatic intervention; and
(6) coordinate an international effort for humanitarian aid and support in Haiti.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, to the Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation and to the Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
Section 3. Directs the County�s federal lobbyists to advocate for the action set forth in section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2021 Federal Legislative Package to include this item.