Former Haitian Presidential Candidate Arrested in U.S. Over Immigration Fraud and Gang Ties

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained Pierre Reginald Boulos, a prominent Haitian political figure and lawful permanent resident of the United States, on allegations of immigration fraud and suspected collaboration with gang networks in Haiti. The arrest was carried out in Miami, where Boulos remains in federal custody.

ICE officials allege that Boulos has maintained ties with leaders of Viv Ansanm, a Haitian gang now officially classified as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government. Authorities claim his involvement with the group has played a role in exacerbating instability in Haiti, raising red flags about its implications for American diplomatic efforts in the region.

The charges against Boulos are centered on accusations that he withheld vital information during his U.S. immigration proceedings. Specifically, officials assert that he failed to reveal his foundational role in the Mouvement pour la Transformation et la Valorisation d’Haiti (MTVAyiti)—a political movement rooted in Haitian nationalism and economic reform ideals. Further complicating his case, Boulos is reportedly under separate investigation in Haiti for allegedly misappropriating funds from business loans.

Federal authorities are treating the omissions as acts of immigration fraud, which could potentially lead to Boulos’s deportation. “Legal residents in the United States must not aid or abet terrorist or criminal groups,” an ICE spokesperson emphasized, pointing to national security as a core issue in the investigation.

The inquiry involves multiple federal agencies, including the Diplomatic Security Service of the State Department and the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

In an unrelated incident, ICE also took Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, a Mexican national, back into custody in Chicago. He is accused of concealing the corpse of a decapitated woman—a case that had previously seen him released, sparking renewed debate over ICE’s release protocols.

Both cases underscore ICE’s intensified scrutiny of individuals who may present security risks to the United States, whether through ties to violent organizations or deception during immigration processes.