A Haitian migrant, now facing charges of killing two roommates in New York, was admitted into the United States through the CBP One app, which has sparked controversy since its expansion under the Biden administration. Kenol Baptiste, a Haitian national, was apprehended in Middletown, New York, earlier this month on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to a statement from Middletown PD.
Police disclosed that two men were found with multiple stab wounds at the same residence where Baptiste resided. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other succumbed to his injuries during surgery. Baptiste was acquainted with the victims, and all three lived at the same address. Following a search, Baptiste was apprehended in a nearby wooded area by law enforcement’s K9 unit and subsequently taken into custody at Orange County Jail.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Baptiste entered the United States in July 2023 by presenting himself at the Paso Del Norte port of entry in El Paso, Texas. He had made an appointment on the CBP One app and was granted entry, receiving a notice to appear in immigration court and being paroled into the U.S. for pending removal proceedings. ICE has placed a detainer on him, requesting that he be transferred to ICE custody upon his eventual release from jail.
The CBP One app, initially developed during the Trump administration, was expanded by the Biden administration to accommodate up to 1,450 migrants daily seeking processing into the U.S. as part of efforts to establish “lawful pathways” for migration amid the southern border crisis. The app aims to facilitate a safe and orderly process for migrants to enter the U.S. without resorting to illegal means. Migrants are vetted using biometric and biographic data before admission.
Critics, particularly Republicans, have criticized the app, labeling it a “concierge service” for undocumented immigrants. The program has allowed over 547,000 individuals to schedule appointments since 2023, with migrants from Haiti, Mexico, and Venezuela being among the most frequent users. Additionally, CBP One permits up to 30,000 migrants from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to fly or travel directly to the U.S. upon parole approval.
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus confirmed that the victims of the stabbing were also Haitian and stated that Baptiste was awaiting a hearing before a federal judge. He noted that the incident received relatively little attention due to the victims not being American citizens. This case adds to a series of crimes involving Haitian migrants paroled into the U.S., including a recent incident where a migrant was charged with the rape of a 15-year-old girl at a Massachusetts hotel housing migrants.
