The National Immigration Center reported the number of asylum requests processed has dropped dramatically while deportations surge. In response to immigration advocates, the Biden administration announced it would review the use of the Title 42 program. But deportations have continued. As previously reported by NewsOne, immigration and human rights advocates demanded the Biden Administration stop deporting Haitians given the well-documented instability in the country. Homeland Security has previously acknowledged the likelihood of harm to Haitians sent back to the island nation.
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Kidnapped women and girls are gang raped and subject to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. A federation of influential armed gangs have their demands met by the government, while illegal weapons, banned under a U.S. arms embargo, freely enter the country.
With such a volatile social, economic and political crisis, elections organized under Haitian President Jovenel Moïse will not work and will not be seen as legitimate by the people, three Haiti-born civic leaders and a former U.S. ambassador to the country told the House Foreign Affairs Committee Friday.
The virtual meeting came after Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s answered questions Wednesday during a hearing on U.S. foreign policy about Moïse’s abuse of power during the 15 months he has been ruling by decree. Blinken expressed worry about the nation’s worsening predicament.
Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article249877598.html#storylink=cpy
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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas urging the Biden Administration to re-designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). In their letter, the Senators cite the importance of reinstating protection to eligible Haitians in the United States that are unable to return safely to their homeland due to a compounding set of devastation from national disasters, political unrest, and extraordinary conditions facing the island. Click to read more...
HALANY has committed to four actions and initiatives to tackle the virus of racism. Please find below, resources from our event entitled Tackling the Virus of Racism: A Call to Action.
Virus of Racism - Get Involved.pdf
Call to Action - Clickable Link Virus of Racism -.pdf
The Haitian American Lawyers Association of New York is proud to stand with our Judicial brothers and sisters, in promoting inclusion, diversity and equity in the legal system. This signed letter by 122 New York State judges, is a testament to their continued vigilance and support for equality in the justice system.
NYS-Judges-of-Color-Statement-Regarding-Duties-as-Jurist-and-Commitment-to-Equal-Treatment.pdf
HALANY Response to Systemic Racism
PRESS RELEASE JUNE 15, 2020
The first half of the year has been cataclysmic. We are in the middle of a once in a generation pandemic. The U.S. economy all but collapsed in March. During these difficult times, the scourge of systemic racism continues to destroy black lives. On February 23, 2020, Ahmaud Arbery was fatally shot while taking a jog by a white father and son, where the pair held themselves out as Mr. Arbery’s judge, jury and executioner, for the simple crime of exercising while black. On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor, was fatally shot in her own home while police officers executed a no-knock search warrant. On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was suffocated to death by a white police officer who knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Mr. Floyd's death rightfully sparked outrage in the heart of not only black people, but amongst diverse communities in this nation. In the aftermath of Mr. Floyd's death, we have seen worldwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism. Just three days ago, on June 12, 2020, Rayshard Brooks was fatally shot by an Atlanta police officer while being apprehended at a Wendy’s drive-through. These are but four instances in a matter of months. Their names are now added to a somber list of people of color dying at the hands of law enforcement; that list includes Eleanor Bumpurs, Anthony Baez, Amadou Diallo, Patrick Dorismond, Sean Bell, Eric Garner and countless other names… and that’s just in New York City.
The Haitian American Lawyers Association of New York (HALANY) unequivocally condemns the systemic racism and abuse of power that we have witnessed over the last month. We identify with the peaceful protests in American streets and around the world. We support them wholeheartedly; their cause is our cause. Indeed, Haitians are no strangers to challenging the status quo and fighting for change. In 1804, our forefathers took on their oppressors and turned Haiti into the first free black republic in the Western hemisphere. We can achieve great things when we come together and say enough is enough. We understand the cry of our brothers and sisters who cry out, "I can't breathe!"
HALANY's membership consists of attorneys and future attorneys of color. The current convulsion in our society affects our members directly. We have to speak out in the face of injustice and inequity. And so we say, the color of our skin should not be a death sentence for us in this country. History has shown that we are not safe because of the color of our skin, not even from the very people who have sworn to uphold the law and to protect us.
HALANY will continue to fight to make sure that our society achieves true equality. As attorneys, we will work to uphold the tenets of due process. We will advocate fiercely for every citizen to have their voices heard at the ballot box. We will also work within our communities to encourage the completion of the 2020 Census to bring funds and services into our communities. And will work with elected officials to enact reforms of law enforcement to make sure that the phrase "I can't breathe!" is no longer uttered by a black person struggling to hold on to life.
On June 24, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. HALANY will present a panel discussion entitled “Tackling the Virus of Racism - A Call to Action.” A dialogue that will focus on racism, policing, necessary reforms, and what we can do. Join the conversation.
Haitian American Lawyers Association of New York
Accusing the Trump administration of being motivated by politics and not facts, a second U.S. federal judge is blocking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from forcing tens of thousands of Haitians to return to Haiti by ending their temporary legal protection.
WASHINGTON: The Trump administration said Thursday it will extend special immigration protections for Haiti and three other countries until January 2020.
The decision by the Department of Homeland Security, announced Thursday, gives thousands of Haitians an additional six-month reprieve from deportation, but holders of Temporary Protected Status still face uncertainty as the Trump administration continues to fight in the courts to end the program.
The decision affects Haitians, Salvadorans, Nicaraguans and Sudanese in the United States.
Continue reading here...
As you know we are at a critical juncture as it pertains to the deportation of Dominicans of Haitian descent. We expect that any minute now the Dominican government will start their deportation process. HALANY, in conjunction with HALANJ and other activist organizations have been busy trying to bring public attention to this matter.
Our board Chair Ralph Delouis was on the Ebro in the Morning radio program on Hot 97 this morning doing a great job of discussing the issues taking place in the Dominican Republic.
LISTEN NOW
It should be noted, as result of Ralph sharing his tweet demanding that the White House call on the Dominican Embassy. Ebro retweeted it to all his HOT 97 listeners. That's how it's done folks.
If you want to learn more about the history of the relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and the impetus for the planned deportation of Dominicans of Haitian descent, the following is a recent article written by a group from John Hopkins University, of which our very own V.P. Ritha Pierre's cousin, Grace Cineas, was a contributor.
Additionally, there is a rally planned this Saturday, June 20 from 9am - 12pm in the Bronx at Webster Avenue and Fordham Road to protest the deportations. We hope you will be able to join in solidarity! Finally, there has been additional articles and coverage on this issue and we encourage all of you to educate yourself and others about these ongoing human and civil rights violations.
Saturday, June 20th Rally Information:
https://www.facebook.com/events/872159769488624/
News Articles and Media Coverage:
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/06/16/the-bloody-origins-of-the-dominican-republics-ethnic-cleansing-of-haitians/?tid=sm_fb
NPR
http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2015/06/16/dominican-republic-deportations
NY1 Noticias
http://www.ny1noticias.com/nyc/twc-ny1-noticias/noticias/2015/06/17/dominicanos-en-ny-reaccionan-frente-a-plan-nacional-de-regularizaci-n-vencido.html
NewsOne Now with Roland Martin:
http://newsone.com/3125359/dominican-republic-deport-haitian-workers-ethnic-cleansing/
