White House responds to resignation of U.S. special envoy to Haiti

September 23, 2021 carleyshaffer1 US 0

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki holds a press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., September 20, 2021. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 3:46 PM PT – Thursday, September 23, 2021

The U.S. special envoy to Haiti has stepped down from his position amid the escalating border crisis under Joe Biden. Ambassador Daniel Foote submitted a letter on Wednesday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying he’s resigning from the position, effective immediately.

Foote said he would not be associated with the U.S.’s “inhumane counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees.” He added the U.S. policy approach to Haiti is deeply flawed and his recommendations have been ignored and dismissed.

SCOOP: Special Envoy for Haiti, Amb Daniel Foote, a career member of foreign service, has RESIGNED. In his letter of resignation, he says he will not be associated with the U.S.’s “inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees.” Letter attached. pic.twitter.com/KlW5GoTF3u

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) September 23, 2021

This comes as the Biden White House has continued to face criticism for turning away hundreds of Haitian migrants at the southern border, while releasing others into the U.S.

The White House responded, saying Foote could have expressed any concerns about migrant deportations during his tenure, but did not. Despite Foote’s reasoning regarding his departure, the White House has maintained he never sounded the alarm.

“Special Envoy Foote had ample opportunity to raise concerns about migration during his tenure, he never once did so. Now, that wasn’t his purview,” expressed White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. “His purview was, of course, being the special envoy on the ground. His positions were, and his views were put forward. They were valued. They were heard. Different policy decisions were made in some circumstances.”

Meanwhile, the Biden administration has continued to take heat for the crisis at the southern border.