Migrant organizations in Miami are asking President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress to halt deportations to Venezuela and Haiti following recent earthquakes [1], [2].
The request highlights the precarious nature of deportation policies during humanitarian crises, as returning migrants to disaster-stricken areas could result in severe safety risks.
Two earthquakes struck Caraballeda, La Guaira, on June 25, 2026 [1]. Caraballeda is located approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Caracas [1]. The seismic events caused significant casualties and structural damage, leading community members to argue that deportations to the region are currently inhumane [1], [3].
Groups representing both Venezuelan and Haitian migrants are seeking protection [2]. These organizations are coordinating a formal appeal to the White House to ensure that individuals are not sent back to unstable environments while recovery efforts are underway [3].
A formal letter addressed to the White House is scheduled to be sent on Monday, June 29, 2026 [3]. The organizers aim to secure a temporary stay on removals to prevent further loss of life, and to provide a window for humanitarian assessment [3].
The push for a moratorium comes as Miami-based advocates emphasize the lack of infrastructure remaining in the affected zones. They said the current conditions in La Guaira make it impossible for returnees to find safe shelter or basic necessities [1], [3].
While the request focuses heavily on the impact in Venezuela, the inclusion of Haitian organizations suggests a broader push for disaster-based protections within U.S. immigration policy [2]. The groups said the U.S. government must prioritize human life over strict enforcement of removal orders during active natural disasters [2], [3].
“Migrant organizations in Miami are asking President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress to halt deportations.”
This development underscores a recurring tension between U.S. immigration enforcement and international humanitarian obligations. By linking deportation pauses to specific natural disasters, these organizations are attempting to establish a precedent where environmental catastrophes trigger automatic temporary protected status or stays of removal, shifting the focus from legal status to immediate physical survival.
