US Special Envoy for Haiti Resigns to Protest "Inhumane" Deportation of Haitians

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Special Envoy for Haiti Daniel Foote has resigned in protest of the deportation of thousands of Haitians apprehended at the southern US border, according to his resignation letter, distributed on social media.

"I will not be associated with the United States inhumane, counterproductive, decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs in control for daily life", Foote said.

Foote was addressing the recent migrant crisis on the Texas border. According to authorities, up to 13,000 people, mainly Haitians, gathered under a bridge connecting Del Rio in Texas to Ciudad Acuña in Mexico, in a bid to receive legal resident status.

In response, the authorities removed migrants from the encampment and sealed off Del Rio sector. At least 4,000 people were reportedly sent for processing in detention centres, several hundred have been sent back to Haiti. It is unclear, how many people exactly were released in the US in recent days.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott requested the White House for a federal emergency declaration to cope with the border crisis.