In the tranquil setting of Lakeland, Florida, Marven shares a joyous occasion with his sister Rochelle and their biological mother, Guerline, celebrating his 16th birthday. Their reunion comes after a decade apart, yet joy is intertwined with anxiety over potential separation once again.
Stacey Nageli Angulo, who adopted Marven at the age of three following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, facilitated the reunion by bringing Guerline and Rochelle to the U.S. three years ago due to escalating violence in Haiti. All three currently reside legally under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which protects individuals from countries affected by crises like war or natural disasters.
However, this status is set to expire for 350,000 Haitians soon, sparking fears of deportation just as they have begun to rebuild their lives together in the U.S. Meanwhile, gang violence in Haiti has reached alarming levels, with Metropol and law enforcement advising against travel to the country due to rising threats of kidnapping and violence.
Marven, who feels his life is 'more complete' with his biological family, hopes to avoid the fate that awaits many Haitians if TPS is revoked. While he blows out the candles on his birthday cake, the looming threat of separation weighs heavily on their minds.
All three women have transitioned to life in the U.S., with Guerline and Rochelle working to support themselves. Yet Rochelle often fears for the safety of her family still in Haiti, recounting harrowing tales from friends of kidnappings and murders.
As the expiration date for TPS nears, concerns mount regarding the safety of returning to their homeland, raising questions about the U.S.'s ongoing immigration policies, especially under the Trump administration.
