Haitian man charged in NC triple murder flew into US under Biden migrant flights program: ICE

A tragic incident in Fayetteville, North Carolina, has shocked the community and sparked a heated debate over U.S. immigration policies. On February 21, 2024, police responded to a stabbing report at a local home, where they found three individuals suffering from fatal stab wounds. The victims included 77-year-old Beatrice Desir, a 13-year-old, and a 4-year-old. Authorities arrested 26-year-old Mackendy Darbouze, a Haitian migrant, at the scene. Darbouze, who allegedly greeted officers with blood on his hands, face, and pants, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Darbouze walking with a knife, and investigators found a blood-stained knife in his room. He is currently being held without bond at the Cumberland County Detention Center. This devastating crime has raised questions about the U.S. immigration system and the controversial programs that allow migrants to enter the country.

Mackendy Darbouze’s case has drawn attention to the Biden administration’s Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) migrant flights program, under which he entered the U.S. in July 2024. The program, launched in 2022, was designed to provide a legal pathway for asylum seekers from these four countries to enter the U.S. if they had a financial sponsor in the country. Initially, the program was limited to Venezuelans, but it was expanded in 2023 to include Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua, with a monthly quota of 30,000 migrants. The program allowed migrants to fly to U.S. airports and then be paroled into the country, bypassing the dangerous journey across the southern border. While the Biden administration touted the program as a success in reducing illegal border crossings, critics argue that it has not stemmed the overall flow of migrants into the U.S. and has instead created new challenges.

The CHNV program has been a subject of controversy since its inception. Proponents argue that it provides a safer and more orderly way for migrants to enter the U.S., reducing the risks associated with illegal border crossings. However, critics, including some lawmakers, have raised concerns about the program’s lack of accountability and the potential for individuals with criminal intent to exploit it. Darbouze’s case has become a focal point in this debate. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that Darbouze entered the U.S. through the CHNV program and that he does not speak English, requiring authorities to communicate with him in Creole. ICE has since lodged a detainer on Darbouze, signaling its intent to take custody of him for immigration proceedings once his criminal case is resolved.

The controversy surrounding the CHNV program intensified after another tragic incident involving a migrant who entered the U.S. under the program. In 2022, Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan national paroled into the U.S. through the CHNV program, attacked and killed University of Georgia student Laken Riley. This case highlighted the risks associated with the program and raised questions about the vetting process for migrants. Despite these concerns, the program continued to operate until President Donald Trump shut it down by executive order on his first day in office. By that time, more than 50,000 migrants had already been paroled into the U.S. through the program. The shutdown of the CHNV program has been seen by many as a response to the growing criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration policies.

The debate over the CHNV program reflects the broader challenges of U.S. immigration policy. Advocates for the program argue that it provides a humane and legal pathway for migrants fleeing poverty, violence, and political instability in their home countries. They emphasize that the vast majority of migrants who enter the U.S. through such programs are law-abiding individuals seeking a better life for themselves and their families. However, critics argue that the program lacks sufficient oversight and accountability, making it vulnerable to abuse by individuals with criminal intentions. The cases of Darbouze and Ibarra have been cited as examples of the potential dangers of allowing large numbers of migrants into the U.S. without thorough vetting.

As the debate over the CHNV program continues, the case of Mackendy Darbouze serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges of U.S. immigration policy. While the program was intended to provide a safer and more orderly way for migrants to enter the U.S., its implementation has been marred by controversy and tragedy. The killing of three family members in Fayetteville has not only devastated a community but also reignited the debate over how to balance compassion for migrants with the need to ensure public safety. As policymakers grapple with these issues, the case of Mackendy Darbouze will likely remain a focal point in the ongoing discussion about the future of U.S. immigration policy.