MIAMI (AP) — President Donald Trump shared a video of a deadly attack allegedly committed by a Haitian immigrant accused of bludgeoning a woman with a hammer at a Florida gas station, framing the killing as justification for his administration’s mass deportation agenda.
Rolbert Joachin, 40, was arrested and charged with the murder of a 51-year-old woman on April 2 in Fort Myers, approximately 160 miles northwest of Miami. Authorities stated that Joachin arrived in the U.S. In August 2022. The victim, a mother of two adult daughters, was an immigrant from Bangladesh.
Trump, posting to his Truth Social account late Thursday, has frequently sought to link immigration with crime in the U.S. and the video from the Florida attack provided a graphic example for that purpose. He likewise often criticizes Democrats and former President Joe Biden, alleging they allow immigrants who pose a criminal or national security threat to enter the country.
“The video of her brutal slaying is one of the most vicious things you will ever see,” Trump said in his post, describing Joachin as an “animal.”
Critics argue the president unfairly portrays all immigrants as criminals to support his immigration policies, despite studies indicating that people living in the U.S. Illegally are less likely than native-born Americans to be arrested for violent, drug, and property crimes.
“Our hearts are with the family of the victim during this unimaginably painful time,” said Guerline Jozef, executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance. “We condemn this act of violence in the strongest possible terms. But we must also be clear: one individual’s actions do not define an entire people. The exploitation of this tragedy to demonize Haitian immigrants and dismantle humanitarian protections is both unjust and deeply harmful.”
Graphic Video Details
According to court documents, the victim was working as a clerk at the gas station convenience store when she was attacked. Security camera footage, posted on the Department of Homeland Security’s X feed, shows Joachin repeatedly striking a black vehicle with a hammer. A woman in black pants and a pink shirt then approaches him, and he immediately attacks her with the hammer.
The woman falls to the sidewalk, and Joachin continues to attack her before walking away. She was later identified as Nilufa Easmın. A GoFundMe campaign described her as a “devoted mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her two young daughters.”
Fort Myers police responded to reports of the attack at a Chevron gas station. Officers found the woman with head wounds and multiple cuts. Joachin was arrested at the scene and confessed, according to police. He was charged with murder and property damage and is scheduled for arraignment on May 4.
Temporary Protected Status Debate
Trump blamed Biden for granting Joachin Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Kelei Walker, acting field office director for ICE enforcement and removal operations in Miami, stated that Joachin arrived in a “water vessel” near Key West in August 2022, was arrested, and granted TPS in 2023. That status was revoked this week, Walker said.
The Trump administration has consistently criticized the use of TPS, which allows citizens of countries experiencing turmoil to stay and work in the U.S. Temporarily. Critics argue the Biden administration has broadly misused TPS authorities.
Several lawsuits are currently challenging Trump’s efforts to terminate TPS for over one million people, including 350,000 Haitians. A federal appeals court sided with a lower court ruling against ending temporary status for Haitians in March, and the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on April 29.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges has Rolbert Joachin been facing?
Rolbert Joachin has been charged with murder and property damage, and appeared in court on Wednesday. His arraignment is set for May 4.
What is Temporary Protected Status?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) can be granted to citizens of a country experiencing turmoil or strife, allowing them to stay and work in the U.S. For a temporary period.
Where did the attack take place?
The attack took place on April 2 in Fort Myers, Florida, about 160 miles northwest of Miami, at a Chevron gas station.
Given the ongoing legal challenges surrounding TPS and the heightened political rhetoric surrounding immigration, what steps might be taken to address the concerns raised by both sides of this debate?
