Hervé Laplante, a well-known figure in Haitian media, was recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Florida. The longtime journalist and cultural commentator, widely known as “Laplanta,” was taken into ICE custody around May 28, 2025. He is currently being held at the Baker County Detention Center as his case undergoes standard immigration review.
While there has been widespread speculation surrounding the reason for his detention and possible deportation proceedings, no official cause has been publicly confirmed. As it stands, the exact reason for his detainment remains unknown, and anything beyond that is conjecture.
What has fueled much of the public discussion is a recent dispute between Laplante and another radio personality, Patricia Latour. The disagreement escalated on social media and spilled into public forums. Though we will not delve into the details of that conflict, it is important to note that Latour did publicly state that she reported Laplante to U.S. authorities. Whether or not this played a direct role in his detainment is unconfirmed.
What this situation does underscore, however, is the growing scrutiny surrounding public digital activity. In many U.S. states, law enforcement agencies now require individuals to provide access to their social media profiles before issuing firearm permits. Employers increasingly review online activity before offering positions. Immigration authorities have also, for over a decade, factored in social media behavior when making decisions about visa approval, renewal, or revocation.
This evolving reality serves as a reminder that online conduct can have very real, offline consequences. What may seem like harmless content or emotionally driven commentary posted in the moment can later be viewed through a legal lens, especially when it involves harassment or cyberbullying, both of which are considered violations of the law.
It is also worth noting that even green card holders, or permanent residents, can be denied citizenship or subjected to removal proceedings if they are found to have violated certain laws. Cyberbullying, threats, or harassment online are not exempt from legal accountability, regardless of one’s immigration status.
While many in the Haitian-American community, including advocates for immigration rights, continue to call for a halt to deportations, especially given the dangerous and unstable conditions currently unfolding in Haiti, advocacy has its limits. When laws are broken, immigration enforcement has the legal authority to intervene. In Laplante’s case, the final outcome will likely depend on the findings of immigration officials and the actions of his legal counsel.
For now, Laplante remains in detention, and no formal statement has been issued on his behalf. The story is still developing, and it stands as a cautionary example of how legal status, public behavior, and digital footprints are increasingly interconnected in today’s immigration landscape.
Jounalis Ayisyen Hervé Laplante Arete pa ICE nan Florid
Hervé Laplante, yon figi byen koni nan medya ayisyen yo, te arete pa ajan Imigrasyon Ameriken (ICE) nan Florid. Laplante, ki plis konnen anba non “Laplanta,” se yon jounalis ak komentatè kiltirèl ki gen anpil enfliyans nan kominote ayisyen an. Yo mete li nan detansyon depi anviwon 28 me 2025. Kounye a, li kenbe nan sant Baker County Detention Center pandan otorite imigrasyon yo ap kontinye egzaminen dosye li.
Gen anpil pale anpil sou rezon arestasyon li a ak si li ap ka depòte, men otorite yo poko konfime anyen. Jiskaprezan, nou pa konn egzakteman poukisa yo arete li, kidonk tout sa n ap tande se sèlman espekilasyon.
Sa ki mete plis flanm sou dosye a se dènye diskisyon ki te fèt ant Laplante ak yon lòt animatrice radyo ki rele Patricia Latour. Yo te pran diskisyon an sou rezo sosyal e li te ale lwen. Nou p ap rantre twòp nan detay yo, men sa enpòtan pou n di ke Latour te fè konnen piblikman ke li te rapòte Laplante bay otorite ameriken yo. Nou pa konn si se sa ki koz li te arete, men se sa ki lakoz anpil pale.
Sa ki klè nan sitiyasyon sa a, se kijan otorite yo ap gade aktivite moun sou rezo sosyal. Nan anpil eta Ozetazini, lapolis konn mande w montre yo kont rezo sosyal ou avan yo ba ou pèmi zam. Anpil konpayi ap verifye sa w ap poste sou entènèt anvan yo anboche w. Imigrasyon menm ap sèvi ak aktivite sou rezo sosyal depi plizyè ane pou deside si yo ap bay oswa wete viza.
Sa montre nou ke jan ou konpòte w sou entènèt ka gen gwo konsekans nan lavi reyèl. Sa ou panse ki se plezi oswa blag sou rezo sosyal ka tounen kont ou pita. Menm moun ki gen green card ka pèdi chans pou yo vin sitwayen si yo vyole lwa yo. Cyberintimidasyon, menas, oswa ofans sou entènèt se zak ki pa legal e yo ka mete w nan pwoblèm, kèlkeswa sitiyasyon imigrasyon ou.
Mwen menm pèsonèlman, mwen kwè fòk yo sispann depòtasyon Ayisyen yo, sitou ak jan Ayiti ap viv moman difisil la. Men, pa gen kantite defans oswa pledwaye ki ka sove w si ou pa respekte lalwa. Lè lwa vyole, imigrasyon gen dwa legal pou fè entèvansyon.
Pou kounye a, Laplante toujou nan detansyon epi li poko fè okenn deklarasyon ofisyèl. Dòsi a poko fini, e li sèvi kòm yon egzanp pou montre kijan sitiyasyon legal ou, konpòtman ou piblik, ak sa w mete sou rezo sosyal ka tout vin jwe yon gwo wòl nan dosye imigrasyon w.
