The US embassy in Haiti has been forced to shut due to “ongoing security operations” amid heavy gunfire.
A security alert has been issued by the diplomatic building in Port-au-Prince, the capital of the Caribbean country, with US citizens urged to avoid the area.
The exact nature of the security alert remains unknown, but it comes just days before tens of thousands of Haitians in the US will lose their legal status.
A statement from the US Department of State Consular Affairs said: “The US Embassy in Port-au-Prince advises US citizens of ongoing security operations north and south of the embassy and in Croix-de-Bouquets.
“Heavy gunfire is reported in the area. US government personnel have halted all movements.”
While the consular service recommended people avoid the area, it added the embassy remained open “for emergency services”.
Shortly after coming into office President Trump signed an executive order which revoked the temporary protected status of approximately 350,000 Haitian immigrants in the US.
The order is effective as of February 3, 2026, with all those still in America at that time eligible for deportation.
Temporary protected status was created by Congress to allow migrants from countries torn by disasters or political violence to remain in the US, protected from deportation.
The US Department for Homeland Security under President Trump says “the environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home”.
More to follow…
