Diplomatic efforts are currently underway between Haiti and Russian authorities to secure the repatriation of multiple Haitian nationals held in a Moscow immigration detention facility, with one long-detained student expected to imminently secure release, Haiti’s foreign ministry confirmed. The case centers on several citizens, including Slanda François, a Haitian student who has been held in the Temporary Detention Center for Foreign Citizens along Moscow’s Varshavskoye Shosse since October 2025. The facility is designated to hold migrants who have received deportation orders or are being held under administrative detention. Haitian foreign ministry officials were first alerted to the detention of the group in December 2025, and the department immediately launched formal diplomatic communications with Russian law enforcement and immigration agencies. In ongoing negotiations, the Haitian government has formally requested the release of all detained Haitian nationals, confirmed it will cover all costs associated with their travel back to the country, and offered multiple potential travel routes to streamline the repatriation process. Haitian officials have also committed to coordinating all required documentation, including securing necessary transit visas for the traveling citizens. Haiti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) has stated it will remain fully invested in the diplomatic process, continuing discussions with relevant Russian stakeholders until all repatriation steps are finalized. The institution reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to protecting the rights and interests of Haitian citizens residing or traveling abroad, noting that all diplomatic efforts are being carried out in full compliance with the legal frameworks and procedural requirements of the host country. In an update from Foreign Minister Forbin, the minister confirmed that Russian administrative bodies are in the final stages of processing the release of François. Forbin also added that, as part of the broader repatriation effort, transit visas for all Haitian students detained have already been approved, clearing the final bureaucratic hurdle for their journey back to Haiti.