Overview:
U.S. authorities confirmed they arrested Haitian businessman Pierre Réginald Boulos on charges of immigration fraud and alleged support of criminal armed gangs, destabilizing Haiti. He is currently held in ICE detention while facing deportation proceedings.
Editor’s Note: This is an update to a developing story as of July 22. The original story follows below.
According to ICE, Boulos failed to disclose his role in founding the political party—Mouvement pour la Transformation et la Valorisation d’Haïti (MTV Haiti)—when he applied for lawful permanent residency. He also did not disclose that Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) had named him for alleged misuse of loan funds. Even more significantly, the U.S. officials alleged, Boulos supported armed groups behind Haiti’s ongoing security crisis.
“The Department of State determined that Boulos’ presence or activities in the United States would have potential [sic] serious adverse foreign policy consequences,” the ICE statement reads. “This supports an additional ground of removability based on immigration fraud.”
“The United States will not allow lawful permanent residents to enjoy the benefits of that status while assisting criminal or terrorist organizations.”
ICE statement
The arrest follows a joint investigation involving ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, and the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It comes as Haitians continue to suffer from escalating gang violence, with more than 3,000 deaths reported so far in 2025. Armed groups, including many affiliated with the “Viv Ansanm” gang alliance, have also extended their influence beyond Port-au-Prince into various provinces.
U.S. authorities recently designated “Viv Ansanm” and other gangs in Haiti as foreign terrorist organizations.
In making the Boulos arrest, the State Department reiterated that lawful permanent residents who aid criminal groups abroad may lose their immigration status.
“The United States will not allow lawful permanent residents to enjoy the benefits of that status while assisting criminal or terrorist organizations,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, businessman Allan Zuraik—owner of Safari Motors in Port-au-Prince—publicly denied reports circulating on social media that he, too, had been arrested by ICE.
Editor’s Note: The original story follows.
Boulos, who renounced his U.S. citizenship to pursue Haiti’s presidency, now faces possible deportation as past lobbying and fraud investigations resurface