Haiti Faces Crisis as U.S. Travel Ban Cuts Vital Medical Access

Six-year-old Brad Mertens Joseph, born in northeastern Haiti with a congenital heart defect, struggles with mobility and remains in diapers.

His family, accustomed to a perilous 11-hour overnight bus journey to consult cardiologists in Haiti’s violence-ridden capital, had finally secured a plan to treat Brad’s heart condition.

This plan involved open-heart surgery scheduled in Akron, Ohio, coordinated through a charitable organization.

However, those hopes were dashed when the U.S. government implemented a travel ban targeting nationals from twelve countries, including Haiti, blocking entry for those without valid visas.

Brad’s father, Dieudonné Joseph, expressed deep distress over the development, stating, “When I heard the news, I was devastated and immediately wondered what we would do next. I am still overwhelmed with anxiety.”

The Joseph family’s plight reflects the broader impact of the travel restrictions on Haitians ranging from young professionals and medical trainees to long-term visitors with expired visas, all facing sudden disruptions to essential connections.

Haiti’s close geographical proximity to Florida, its complex historical relationship with the United States, and ongoing political and social turmoil have fostered strong familial and economic bonds with the U.S. Many Haitians maintain businesses across both countries, and a majority of the middle class have relatives in South Florida or New York.