WASHINGTON

US Sen. Edward Markey urged the Trump administration Sunday to provide answers on its "contradictory" foreign and immigration policies toward Haiti.

"@SenatorWarnock and I are demanding answers by August 15. You can’t deport people into a war zone," Markey said on X.

Markey and Sen. Raphael Warnock led their colleagues last week in writing to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, requesting clarification on the policies.

The senators also demanded answers on the involvement of a US private military contractor (PMC)—led by Blackwater Worldwide founder Erik Prince— conducting armed operations in Haiti.

Citing recent media reports, the senators wrote in the letter that the PMC is conducting armed operations in Haiti under a formal contract with that country’s transitional government.

"These reports raise urgent questions about compliance with U.S. arms export laws, the risk of U.S. complicity in gross violations of human rights, and fundamental contradictions in current U.S. foreign and immigration policy toward Haiti.

"In light of these concerns, and in view of the Trump administration’s recent decision to both terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and include Haiti in its newly announced travel ban, we request that you immediately clarify how these decisions are being coordinated and justified across the Executive Branch," they added.

Weaponized drone operations, arms shipments and deployments of US mercenaries "unquestionably" constitute activities requiring export licenses, the senators said.

"If those licenses were granted, their approval would appear inconsistent with NSPM-10’s human rights criteria. If no licenses were granted, then these activities may be proceeding in violation of U.S. law," they added, referring to National Security Presidential Memorandum 10.

At a time of growing inconsistency in US policy toward Haiti, the senators warned that pursuing deportations despite escalating violence and the unchecked deployment of a US private military contractor threatens US law and credibility.

Haiti has faced years of gang violence and political turmoil, which escalated after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.

A Kenyan-led force authorized by the UN has failed to push back the gangs. An estimated 90% of the capital Port-au-Prince is now under control of criminal groups.