Federal agents in Miami have arrested Pierre Réginald Boulos, a prominent Haitian businessman and former presidential hopeful. According to a source familiar with the matter, the arrest transpired at Boulos' South Florida residence late last week, as reported by NBC Miami. Well-known within the Haitian community, Boulos had denounced his U.S. citizenship to seek the Haitian presidency and had secured U.S. residency under the Biden administration just last year.
The specifics of Boulos' arrest were initially unclear, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not provide details promptly, leading to speculation concerning the reasons behind the detention. Eventually, ICE clarified that Boulos' activities, including alleged gang support, contributed to Haiti’s destabilization, as detailed in a statement obtained by NBC Miami. Boulos is said to have failed to disclose key information on his U.S. residency application, including the formation of a political party and a referral for prosecution in Haiti for misuse of loans.
While an attorney for Boulos could not be reached for immediate comment, it was noted that he is currently being held at Krome North Service Processing Center. This facility has garnered attention from Human Rights Watch, which described it as being "grossly over capacity and flagrantly violate international human rights standards," as reported by NBC Miami. In Haiti, Boulos’ business endeavors were substantial, and he presided over the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Boulos founded the Third Way Movement in 2019, positioning it against what he called “shameless elite and the unscrupulous politicians who are working to bog down the country and increase the suffering of the people,” as WSVN reported from local media. Incredibly, Boulos has been quoted as saying, "I am part of the system that must be destroyed. I know how to destroy it." Following the assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse, Boulos returned to the U.S. as the island nation grappled with rising gang violence and a lack of stable governance.
This high-profile arrest comes amidst moves by the Trump administration to revoke legal protections for Haitian nationals, particularly those who entered the U.S. under a humanitarian parole program. Rod Joseph, a Haitian-American congressional candidate, underscored the need to differentiate between targeted enforcement against criminals and the potential for unnecessary deportations. "If the president goes after criminals, no one is against that," Joseph told WSVN over the phone. "But if you deport someone who doesn’t commit any crime who’s here seeking a better life, this is when we start having issues with the practice."
