Pfluger Urges Haiti to Evacuate 70 Children as Violence Escalates

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman August Pfluger (R-TX) is spearheading an effort urging the Haitian government to expedite the evacuation of approximately 70 children being adopted by American families.

The request comes amid escalating gang violence in Haiti, many of whom are stranded in Port-au-Prince awaiting adoption processing.

The Associated Press reported today that the number of children recruited by gangs in Haiti soared by 70%. 

Pfluger, alongside Congressmen Mike Flood (R-NE), Cory Mills (R-FL), John Curtis (R-UT), and Andy Ogles (R-TN), penned a letter to Haiti’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, calling for immediate action. Among the 70 children, a dozen are being adopted by Haitian-American relatives.

In their letter, the lawmakers cited provisions under the Hague Convention that allow adoptions to be finalized in either the sending or receiving country. 

The lawmakers wrote, "We are reaching out to you to ask for your consideration and approval for the evacuation of the approximately 70 Haitian children currently in the adoption process with American families, a dozen of whom are being adopted by their Haitian-American blood relatives. Under the Hague Convention for the Protection of Children, the regulations allow for the adoption to be finalized in the sending country or the receiving country confirming that there is a legal pathway for this to be accomplished. We respectfully petition for your involvement in the collaboration between Haitian authorities and the U.S. government to facilitate this evacuation immediately. This request is made with the utmost consideration for the safety and well-being of the Haitian children, allowing them to complete the adoption process from the United States." 

Read the full text of the letter here.