PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Federal Aviation Administration has now banned U.S. flights to Haiti for 30 days. The decision was made Tuesday after a Spirit Airlines plane flying from Fort Lauderdale to Haiti was diverted after it was struck by gunfire. On Monday, a JetBlue flight from Haiti to New York was also hit by a bullet. And on the same day, an American Airlines plane was hit by gunfire while traveling in Haitian airspace. While flights were paused from the U.S. to Haiti, Haiti’s international Airport has been shut down. The U.S. Embassy said the shooting appeared to be part of gang-led efforts to block travel. Gunfire has also broken out between gangs and police throughout Haiti’s capital, while homes are set on fire and schools are forced to close. The turmoil comes a day after a council met to re-establish democratic order, faring the interim Prime Minister Gary Conille and replacing him with Alix Didier Fils-Aime. Fils-ame has said his top priorities are to restore peace, and restore elections which have not been held since 2016. The United Nations said gangs still control 85% of Port-au-Prince. As violence and political instability continues in Haiti, uncertainty is also building for Haitian immigrants who now live in the United States. Bernard George, founder of New Bridges for Haitian Success, works with hundreds of Haitians to help them integrate in Rhode Island. George said with the newly-elected administration, members of the community have more fear about what the future holds. Rhode Island leaders said they will not be supporting mass deportation efforts. Governor Dan McKee and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said they are committed to being a safe and welcoming city for all neighbors of all immigration status. Smiley said Providence police providence police will not and should not be immigration officers, while McKee said state police do cooperate with ice on detention of violent criminals, but they are also not immigration officers and will not expend time or resources to support mass deportation. ABC6 also spoke with Susan Whipple with the Providence Haitian Outreach Board surrounding these recent events. To learn more about Providence Haitian Outreach Board, visit their website here.  Categories: News