Overview:
Deported DJ, 31-year-old Duckenson Calixte—generally known as DJ Fortunate—talks concerning the psychological, monetary and social struggles of rebuilding his life again in Haiti. Calixte, whose profession was well-built in Atlanta, Georgia, was deported 9 months in the past to a rustic he left at age 16.
LIMONADE, Haiti — Duckenson “DJ Fortunate” Calixte as soon as lived a fast-paced life in Atlanta, DJ-ing occasions, driving luxurious vehicles and even transferring via the town with a personal chauffeur at instances. Lately, the 31-year-old finds himself navigating crowded tap-taps in visitors jams and the every day constraints of life within the north of Haiti — after being deported 9 months in the past.
“Machin nan pa avanse menm non,” Calixte muttered on a experience in early February, caught in visitors in Cap-Haïtien. That means in English, ‘the automotive isn’t transferring in any respect.’
His accent marked him as somebody who spent years away or just isn’t from northern Haiti.
Initially from Croix-des-Bouquets close to the Port-au-Prince, Calixte lived in the USA for 15 years after leaving Haiti at 16. He was deported in June 2025 following a home dispute that led to his arrest and subsequent detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
He can not return to his hometown, now largely managed by armed teams, together with the 400 Mawozo gang. As a substitute, he lives in Limonade—about 33 miles south of Cap-Haïtien, the capital metropolis of the Northern Division—making an attempt to rebuild in a rustic that feels unfamiliar.
Calixte moved to Atlanta after the January 2010 earthquake, in search of asylum with different relations. Referred to as a “go-getter,” Calixte labored exhausting to adapt to American life, ultimately turning into one in all Atlanta’s prime Haitian American DJs underneath the title DJ Fortunate. He additionally hosted Rapday, a music present, on Radio Tambou for seven years.
He’s married and has 4 youngsters along with his spouse within the U.S.
Calixte stated that in December 2024, a person known as the police, who arrested him as a result of he was having an argument along with his spouse. The DJ was launched from jail quickly after, however ICE later detained him.
“I had some issues with my papers, that’s why ICE confirmed up,” Calixte stated. He declined to say what sort of points he had along with his immigration papers on the time.
The Haitian DJ spent months in detention facilities throughout the U.S. earlier than being deported, describing tensions and violence amongst detainees. He stated he skilled gang violence at an ICE heart in California, claiming that Hispanic gang members focused Black immigrants.
He defined that at that detention heart, Black detainees have to stay collectively to outlive. “I used to be with some mates from Jamaica, Africa, like from Nigeria and Congo,” DJ Fortunate stated.
“Generally you could possibly simply be strolling round they usually assume you’re a gang member… I’m Haitian, you already know, they’re pondering I’m a Zoe and all the things,” he stated. “We needed to be united to outlive.”
Beginning over in nation he barely acknowledges
For a lot of deportees like Calixte, returning to Haiti after years overseas — particularly those that left as youngsters or earlier — means beginning over socially, professionally and culturally.
“The transition is greater than hectic. Mentally, it’s taking lots out of me.”
Duckenson ‘DJ Fortunate’ Calixte
He doesn’t prepare dinner as a result of he by no means discovered to make use of charcoal stoves. He depends financially on kinfolk within the U.S. and has postponed private relationships whereas struggling to search out steady work.
“For those who don’t settle for modifications, you’re not able to stay,” Calixte stated. “I needed to let go of the luxurious life I had within the U.S. That is actuality now.”
His expertise displays a broader sample. Since President Donald Trump returned to workplace in January 2025, deportations have intensified as a part of a wider effort to cut back the variety of immigrants within the U.S. Not less than 550 Haitians have been returned throughout the previous yr.
Upon arrival, deportees usually obtain minimal help — typically only a meal and a small stipend — with no structured reintegration assist. Many wrestle to search out housing, employment or psychological assist, significantly as gang violence prevents them from returning to their unique communities.
Deportees raised or lengthy settled overseas typically discover the transition particularly jarring. Many need to settle in components of the nation aside from their unique dwelling, face language boundaries, lack native networks and are unfamiliar with Haiti’s every day socio-economic challenges.
Now residing with kinfolk, Calixte is slowly making an attempt to restart his DJ profession. He has secured a number of gigs in northern cities, together with Limonade and Fort-Liberté, however lacks the connections that after fueled his success in Atlanta.
Makes an attempt to return to radio have additionally confirmed troublesome. One station in Cap-Haïtien requested him to pay 10,000 gourdes, about $76, per hour for airtime — a value he can not afford.
“It’s a missed alternative. The way in which he was performing right here [in the U.S.] he might’ve been massive,” stated Tanis Tamar, a South Florida-based entrepreneur who has recognized Calixte for years. “He’s nonetheless younger, I can’t say he misplaced his likelihood nevertheless it’s very troublesome for him now.”
Household separation and uncertainty
Past monetary hardship, Calixte says the emotional toll of deportation is troublesome as nicely — significantly being separated from his household.
“Haiti just isn’t someplace I’m making an attempt to be so I’m not bringing my youngsters,” he stated. “It’s not protected in any respect.”
As he continues to regulate, Calixte describes his state of affairs as a compelled reset.
“The transition is greater than hectic,” he stated. “Mentally, it’s taking lots out of me.”