Deported After 30 Years: Edrisse Michelin’s Struggle in Haiti

Imagine living in a country for nearly three decades, building a life, a career, and a family, only to be sent back to a place you barely remember. This is the harsh reality for Edrisse Michelin, a 32-year-old man who was deported to Haiti after serving time for a federal conviction. After spending almost 30 years in South Florida, Michelin now finds himself in a country he left as a toddler, struggling to navigate a life that feels foreign and unsettling.

A Life Upended by One Mistake

Michelin arrived in South Florida at the age of three and spent his entire life there. He graduated high school, attended college, and established a career as a real-estate agent and insurance broker, all while being a lawful permanent resident. However, a single conviction for securing an illegal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in 2020 changed everything. He served over two years in federal prison, followed by nine months in immigration detention, before being deported to Haiti earlier this month.

The Painful Reality of Deportation

The journey back to Haiti was described by Michelin as physically painful and humiliating. He recounted being shackled at the feet and hands, with instructions on using safety equipment for a potential plane crash adding to the distress. Upon arrival in Cap-Haïtien, deportees were given a mere $100 and released. Michelin’s wife, Iyamille, an American citizen, met him there, highlighting the complex reality of mixed-status families affected by such policies.

Struggles in a Familiar, Yet Foreign Land

Adjusting to life in Haiti has been incredibly difficult. Michelin admits he struggles with the language, speaking only a little Creole. He and his wife have been moving between towns, currently staying with relatives in Petit-Goâve, trying to adapt to daily life, which he describes as a constant effort to overcome obstacles. He worries about the thousands of other Haitian nationals in the U.S. whose Temporary Protected Status is set to expire, potentially leading to similar uprooting and overwhelming the limited resources in Haiti.

Reuniting a Family and Seeking a Future

The Michelins are documenting their challenges on Instagram, hoping to shed light on the realities of deportation for mixed-status families. Their primary goal is to secure a visa elsewhere to reunite their blended family of eight children – children Edrisse hasn’t seen in years. However, with few countries actively processing applications from Haitians, they remain in a difficult limbo, caught between the life they knew and an uncertain future.