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Updated 11 April 2026 - The case has reignited political tensions over Temporary Protected Status for Haitian migrants.
Florida homicide suspect identified as Haitian migrant
Rolbert Joachin, a 28-year-old Haitian national, faces homicide charges after allegedly beating a woman to death with a hammer at a Florida petrol station on 3 April, US officials confirmed on Friday.
Surveillance footage released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shows the assailant striking the victim multiple times before she collapses. Authorities described the attack as "senseless" and "unwatchable."
"It's a video you can never unwatch," said Micah McCombs, special agent in charge at Homeland Security Investigations, during a press briefing.
Trump amplifies case to push immigration crackdown
Former US President Donald Trump shared the graphic footage on Truth Social, calling it "one of the most vicious things you will ever see." He argued the killing justified stricter enforcement of immigration policies, urging judges to cease "impeding my Administration's Immigration Policies."
Trump's administration previously attempted to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 350,000 Haitian migrants, a move blocked by a federal judge in February. The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on the matter later this month.
Suspect's immigration status under scrutiny
Joachin entered the US in August 2022 and was issued a final removal order the same year, according to DHS. However, the Biden administration granted him TPS, which expired in 2024. TPS shields migrants from deportation if their home countries are deemed unsafe due to crises like natural disasters or armed conflict.
Haiti was designated for TPS following the 2010 earthquake, with extensions granted under both Democratic and Republican administrations. The Trump administration has criticized TPS as a de facto permanent residency program, arguing it contradicts Congress's original intent for temporary refuge.
Broader implications for TPS holders
The case has intensified debates over TPS, which currently covers migrants from 11 countries, including Afghanistan, Honduras, and Venezuela. The Trump administration has sought to dismantle these protections, potentially exposing hundreds of thousands to deportation.
DHS stated Joachin "will be deported regardless of the outcome" of his criminal case, signaling a hardline stance on enforcement.
What's next
The Supreme Court's ruling on TPS for Haitians could set a precedent for other migrant groups. Meanwhile, local authorities in Fort Myers continue their investigation into the 3 April killing.
