New York (AFP) – Haitians living in New York -- some threatened by Donald Trump's immigration crackdown -- have found a rare reason for joy as their national men's team plays in its first World Cup since 1974, facing giants Brazil on Friday.
Issued on: 18/06/2026 - 17:02
2 min Reading time
In the city's Little Haiti neighborhood, the blue and orange of the Knicks basketball team -- NBA champions since Saturday -- still dominate storefronts. But locals say that will soon shift to Haiti's blue and red."Now the Knicks stuff is over, you'll definitely see all the Haitian colors," said Vladimir Calixte, a 42-year-old actor, who wore a Haiti flag around his neck.It will be a welcome respite for a community that feels targeted by the Trump administration's hardline mass deportation campaign against people in the country illegally.Haiti, plagued by political instability and gang violence, has come in for particular attention, with Trump suspending all tourist and immigration visas. He is also looking to revoke temporary protected status, which prohibits deportations back to countries deemed dangerous, something granted to around 520,000 Haitians in the United States. 'Come together'
Lyne Lucien created illustrations for FOX Sports Global Artist Series, a collaboration with FIFA © Diane DESOBEAU / AFP
