Latest news with #RebekahAntoine
CBS News
5 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Haiti's full U.S. travel ban, drawing criticism and concern from South Florida Haitian Americans
Haiti is the only country in the Western Hemisphere included in the U.S. government's list of nations subject to a full travel ban, a move drawing concern and criticism from South Florida Haitian Americans and advocacy groups. The new travel restrictions are set to take effect on Monday. While the ban applies to Haitian nationals, some Haitian Americans are speaking out about its broader implications. "It actually amplifies the need" Rebekah Antoine, who was born in Miami but has deep ties to Haiti, told CBS News Miami her plans to move to the country later this month are unchanged. "It doesn't discourage me. It actually amplifies more of the need of my why, why I am going back to Haiti," Antoine said. Although she is not directly affected by the restrictions, Antoine acknowledged the difference in experience for Haitian nationals. "I acknowledge my privilege, you know, I am able to travel freely and, and go back and forth to my country with no stress," she said. She believes the ban could prevent others from contributing positively to the country. "We know the rhetoric and we see the countries that are listed on the ban and the common denominator of where these countries are located, it should not be a blanket ban." "Your people are not welcome" Paul Christian Namphy, political director of the Family Action Network Movement, said the travel ban is being met with "shock and outrage" among the community. "The majority of the countries are Black. You have 7 of the 12 countries which are in Africa and Haiti," Namphy said. He urged Haitian passport holders to seek legal guidance before traveling. "We are asking decision makers in the United States to resist these kinds of racist rules taking away our dignity," he said. "What this travel ban is saying is your people are not welcome."
CBS News
17-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
American-born South Florida woman plans family move to Haiti despite ongoing turmoil
As many flee Haiti due to political instability and violence, one South Florida woman is going against the tide and packing her bags and moving her family to the country she considers home. Rebekah Antoine, an American-born public health professional, says her heart has always been in Haiti and now, she's ready to make it her permanent home. A heartfelt homecoming Like many in the Haitian diaspora, Antoine dreamed of returning to her ancestral homeland. Though born in Miami, she says her connection to Haiti has only grown stronger over the years. "I don't want to live in this climate," Antoine said. "Despite everything happening in Haiti, it's home. I'd rather be home and make home better instead of being somewhere where my people and I are not welcome." The decision didn't come lightly. Antoine reflected on the worsening situation in Port-au-Prince but ultimately felt compelled to return. "I had to reflect last year—Port-au-Prince is not getting better any time soon—but I gotta go back. I start to feel frustrated with the situation and I'm like I need to go back and I want to help." Preparing for a new chapter Antoine, a registered doula with a master's degree in public health from Florida International University, already has a job lined up with the nonprofit Mama Baby Haiti. Her husband's work is remote and her children are enrolled in school in Cap-Haïtien. "I have taught them Haitian Creole. They speak, they read Haitian Creole as good as you can as a Haitian American," she said. With potential changes to U.S. immigration policy looming—including the possible end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians—Antoine says she wants to be on the ground to help. "With what happened with Trump, if all these people are going to be sent back, we need people there capable to receive them and provide care. Pregnant women are going to get deported." Though she admits to feeling fear, Antoine says it's not holding her back. "Bravery is not having no fear, it's doing something in spite of fear." She plans to leave after her children finish the school year and she's already bought one-way plane tickets.
