Trade & Market Access: The U.S. Senate passed a two-year extension of Haiti HOPE and HELP trade preference programs, pushing their deadline to Dec. 31, 2028 and preserving duty-free access for Haitian apparel and textile goods. Haiti Governance & Costs: Haiti’s Foreign Ministry says it is modernizing with four digital platforms for transparency and efficiency, and reports savings of about $1M per month (over 100 million gourdes) after resizing missions and cutting some operating expenses. Security & Human Impact: A UN report says gang violence and security operations in Haiti killed 613 people and injured 375 between March and July, with the worst levels in two years and displacement rising. Diplomacy & Development Support: An OAS-led high-level delegation is expected in Haiti Aug. 16–19 with partners including CARICOM, PAHO, the World Bank, IDB and others to support stability, elections, humanitarian needs and sustainable development. Immigration Shock to Haitian Workers (U.S.): New York Gov. Kathy Hochul urged the Trump administration not to abruptly end TPS for Haitians, warning of major human and economic fallout, especially in healthcare. Local Enforcement Watch (U.S.): Reports of increased ICE activity in Springfield continue, with Haitian businesses in the area and detainees at the local jail listing Haiti as birth country. Canada Pathway for Haitians: Canada’s Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) opens Aug. 26 with 2,970 study-permit spots for 33 countries, offering a route to permanent residence for French-speaking applicants.