Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 10 aout 2025

Haitian security guard killed in NYC shooting remembered as ‘hero’ by union, family

Aland Etienne, a Haitian immigrant and 32BJ SEIU member, was mourned after he was killed in the Midtown Park Avenue mass shooting.

by THE CITY Aug. 01, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Overview:

Haitian immigrant Aland Etienne, 46, was killed in a Midtown office shooting while working as a security guard. Union leaders and relatives honored him as a devoted father and “hero,” reports THE CITY. He had worked at 345 Park Ave. for six years.

Claudia Irizarry Aponte / THE CITY

The security guard who was slain in the mass shooting in a Midtown office building on Monday was remembered by his brother as a hard-working man, hero, devoted father and aspiring filmmaker who was proud to play his part “in making the city of New York a little safer every day.”

Aland Etienne, 46, is among the four victims of Monday’s deadly attack at 345 Park Avenue, a prominent office tower that houses the headquarters of the National Football League and several large investment firms including Blackstone.

“I am the younger brother of my hero,” said sibling Smith Etienne.

“Aland was a brother, son, a loving father — fantastic father,” he continued. “He was a smart dude and as the oldest brother I looked up to him in everything I do.”

The younger Etienne spoke at the headquarters of the union 32BJ SEIU, of which Aland was a member, honoring both him and slain NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, 36, on Wednesday. He was flanked by Etienne’s widow, Rachelle Paoli; union president Manny Pastreich; and Democratic mayoral candidate Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. 

Their deaths, said Pastreich, underscore the dangers and sacrifices security personnel face on the line of duty. He invoked a similar attack in 2015 that resulted in the death of a 32BJ member, security officer Idrissa Camara, who was fatally shot by a gunman who stormed a federal building on Varick Street, then killed himself.

“Security officers in this city know that they put their life on the line when they put on their uniforms, they’re there to do their jobs as a first line of defense in each of these buildings, and they know that they’re often in harm’s way,” said Pastreich. “These essential workers are often overlooked and unseen until moments like this, that reveal the true value of their work and their contributions.”

A member of 32BJ SEIU’s security division since 2017, Etienne worked at 345 Park Ave. for more than six years under the security firm McLane Security. He was unarmed at the time of the shooting, a union spokesperson said. Representatives for McLane Security did not respond to a request for comment.

Etienne, a Haitian immigrant who lived in Brooklyn, is survived by Paoli and his two children, parents, and five siblings. He loved making home movies in Haiti and had aspirations to become a filmmaker, but he devoted himself to his family instead, and nurtured his love of films in his brother, now a filmmaker based in Florida.

“He poured into me and supported my career in film as an extension of himself,” Smith said. “It’s an example of the kind of person he is.” 

“He was more than a brother — he was a father, a son, and a light in our lives,” another brother, Gathmand Etienne, wrote on Facebook. “Our hearts are shattered, and we’re asking for your prayers and strength as we navigate this painful time.”

The others killed were Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner, 44; and 27-year-old Julia Hyman, who worked for real estate firm Rudin Management. 

Security camera images released by the NYPD showed Shane Tamura walking into the building shortly after 6 p.m. Monday holding a rifle, which officials later identified as an M4. Tamura shot three people including Islam and Etienne in the lobby before getting on an elevator and going to the 33rd floor where he fired on Hyman before taking his own life, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press conference Monday night.

Adams said during a televised interview on CBS Mornings on Tuesday that investigators found a note on Tamura that implied he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a brain disease caused by repeated concussions, and appeared to blame the NFL for his injuries.

“He, from our preliminary investigation, he took the wrong elevator bank up to the NFL headquarters,” said Adams.

Islam was also remembered as a “hero” by Shamsul Haque, a retired police officer and founder of the Bangladeshi American Police Association, of which Islam was a member, at the same 32BJ event on Wednesday.

“He is one of us, and losing him feels like losing a brother,” said Haque.

Islam, from The Bronx’s 47th Precinct, was working off-duty as a security guard at the Park Avenue tower at the time of the attack. An immigrant from Bangladesh, he is survived by his wife and their two children; she is pregnant with their third child. 

Mamdani, fresh off a trip to his native Uganda to celebrate his recent marriage, said he met with Islam’s family in The Bronx Wednesday morning for about an hour; he said he accepted the family’s invitation to the funeral on Thursday.

He mourned the lives cut short and called for strengthening the nation’s gun laws. Though New York has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, he noted that Tamura bought his weapon in Nevada.

“We are only as safe as the weakest gun laws in this nation,” he said. 

Mamdani said he has not talked to Mayor Eric Adams about the shooting, but he did have a conversation with Tisch.

At the event, Mamdani also expressed regret over resurfaced social media posts he made before elected office that critics have said are insensitive to police officers, and that his opponents have seized on throughout his mayoral campaign.

He responded specifically to questions about a 2020 social media post in which he replied “nature is healing” to a user who described seeing a police officer crying in his car.

“The tweet that you referred to is a tweet that is clearly out of step with the way in which I not only view police officers, the immense work that they do, but also the seriousness with which we need to treat that work, and the difficulties that come with that work,” said Mamdani.

“I am not a candidate that is fixed in time. I am one who learns and one that leads. As I’ve grown, part of that means focusing on the people who deserve to be spoken about.”

National Center of Haitian Apostolate 

The grand tribute evening in honor of the late Bishop Guy Sansaricq will be held in one week

https://youtu.be/kzXfdzNit10?si=a4p0LcntxD21HeAT

 In one week, the grand tribute evening will be held in honor of the late Bishop Guy Sansaricq, the first Haitian-American bishop in the Diaspora. The torch of Bishop Guy Sansaricq, one of the great Haitians of our time, continues to shine brightly among the Haitian community in the Diaspora, even four years after his great departure for the Father's house. He is rightly recognized, even after his death, as the Father of the Haitian community in the Diaspora and the defender of the most disadvantaged in our society. 

The evening of August 10 will be another opportunity for us to honor the memory of Bishop Guy Sansaricq, this great builder of faith who always took courageous stands in favor of the Haitian population of Haiti and the Diaspora. Bishop Guy Sansaricq is never afraid to denounce injustices and racism whenever anyone attempts to undermine the pride or dignity of his blood brothers and sisters in a foreign land: this is why he has always relegated his privileges, honor, and authority to the background throughout his priestly and episcopal life. 

 Knowing the system very well, he has always refused to play the role of scapegoat against his brothers and sisters in the Haitian community. This also explains why he has always urged his brothers and sisters to sit down and work together within our community and in Haitian pastoral ministry. He clearly understood that his role as a priest and bishop was to serve the Church of Jesus Christ and his brothers and sisters in the Haitian community. 

Bishop Guy Sansaricq has always demonstrated his intention to work as a team. In his meetings with his fellow priests and lay people, he liked to take into consideration the opinions of others, because he knows that the Holy Spirit can blow wherever he wants, he knows that priests and lay people must work together in a church of communion to advance the kingdom of God on earth. To this end, he always made the necessary effort to hear all the close personnel of his team before making a decision. One of the major projects he launched at the end of his life was to put in writing the accomplishments and achievements of Haitians and Haitian communities in the United States. To this end, he contacted various professional organizations in the United States and several luminaries of the Haitian community to concretize this project in the writing of a book https://youtu.be/UxraB1QJ9-M?si=k6_NNrw0r1XIRSxP . Alas, the Lord had other plans for him, calling him on August 21, 2021 to come and celebrate with him in heaven his 15th anniversary of episcopal life and his 61st year of priestly life.

 It is difficult to write this text without thinking of these Haitian-Americans United for Progress HAUP INC, a non-profit organization founded in 1975 by Young Father Guy Sansaricq at the Sacred Heart Parish in Cambria Heights. Father Guy Sansaricq made the decision to found this organization to meet the social needs of Haitians in New York. In the 70s, as indeed until now, our immigrants had considerable immigration problems, Haitian boat people were arriving in large numbers in New York and it was necessary to find a way to accompany these illegal newcomers. This year, HAUP INC celebrates its 50th anniversary of existence and is considered one of the largest and oldest Haitian organizations in the State of New York. We invite you to listen to an excerpt from an interview between Bishop Guy Sansaricq and Ms. Elsie Saint Louis, Executive Director of this service agency and also director of the American Choir of the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Cambria Heights, for the 45th Anniversary of HAUP INC: https://youtu.be/fKq5vkY-2Ic

 On the occasion of Bishop Guy Sansaricq's departure, I continue to ask myself many questions about our Haitian community in the United States, left to its own devices and lacking a representative capable of taking courageous stands on its behalf. Are Haitian leaders in the Diaspora different from leaders in Haiti? What are we defending: our interests or the community? One of the great challenges we face is being able to come together and strengthen solidarity among ourselves to serve the common good. Only in this way will we come to recognize that within the Haitian Community and pastoral ministry, there is no room for division. Let us convert ourselves to the model of Jesus the servant, to understand that no one can set themselves up as Savior or dictator. It is Jesus who gave his life to redeem our sins. Therefore, it is Jesus who is the center of our lives. 

Major drug bust in Cap-Haïtien exposes growing Caribbean trafficking network

Haitian police seize about 426 kg of cannabis in Petite-Anse just days after two Haitians were arrested in Jamaica for a 3,000-pound cannabis haul—worth over $58,000, local media report

by Onz Chéry Aug. 01, 2025

Overview:

Police seized 425.9 kg of cannabis and arrested three suspects in Petite-Anse—a coastal quarter near downtown Cap-Haïtien—during a raid on July 27. Just nine days earlier, two Haitians were arrested in Jamaica for trafficking over 3,000 pounds of cannabis. A July 13 cocaine seizure on Ile de La Tortue—or Tortuga Island—in the northwest adds to growing evidence that Haiti is a key transit hub in a Caribbean drug network involving notably Jamaicans, Bahamians and Haitians.

CAP-HAÏTIEN —  Cap-Haïtien police detained three people and seized 425.9 kilograms of cannabis and 525,245 gourdes, or roughly $4,000 (USD), during a 3:00 a.m. raid on a residence in the northern Petite-Anse coastal community on July 27, marking one of the largest cannabis busts in the area this year.

The suspects—Somane Etienne, 60, Guerda Pierre, 38 and Myrlande Fils-Aimé, 34—were arrested inside the residence, police said. Officers also confiscated three motorcycles, a bicycle, a solar panel, a television and several cellphones.

The operation was carried out jointly by Haiti’s Office for the Fight against Drug Trafficking (BLTS), Departmental Judicial Police Service (SDPJ), the Unité Départementale de Maintien de l’Ordre (UDMO) and the Intervention Brigade (BI). Judge of Peace Court Dieula Benjamin recorded legal observations at the scene.

BLTS, which is still investigating the case, has not yet responded to The Haitian Times’ requests for comments on the drug bust and additional details about police actions, as Haiti increasingly serves as a transit hub for regional trafficking.

“All the organized disorder in the country is a movement that first covers up the major trafficking at the international level. This isn’t just about local drug dealers anymore—it’s a transnational network operating through Haiti’s ports and airspace under gang protection.”

Himmler Rébu, Former colonel of Haiti’s Armed Forces (FAd’H)normal

In a recent interview with The Haitian Times, former colonel of Haiti’s Armed Forces (FAd’H), Himmler Rébu, said that since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, Haiti has been increasingly turning into a narco-state. 

 “All the organized disorder in the country is a movement that first covers up the major trafficking at the international level,” said Rébu, leader of the political party Grand Rally for the Evolution of Haiti (GREH).

 “This isn’t just about local drug dealers anymore—it’s a transnational network operating through Haiti’s ports and airspace under gang protection.” 

Caribbean ties emerge as Haiti is increasingly becoming the hub in the drug corridor

The Cap-Haïtien operation comes just nine days after two Haitians—Shelande Dorelien, 27, and Wisler Laveis, 25—were arrested in Toms River, St. Andrew, Jamaica, with over 3,000 pounds of cannabis worth approximately $58,100 (USD), according to the Caribbean National Weekly. Authorities charged them with trafficking, dealing and conspiracy to export cannabis.

The pair, who reportedly entered Jamaica illegally, are believed to be part of a regional trafficking ring that includes Bahamian and Jamaican operatives. Drug enforcement experts say Port-au-Prince’s unsecured coastline—where about 90 percent of the city is under gang control—has become a key transfer point.

A record-breaking cocaine seizure off Tortue Island also raises the stakes.

On July 13, Haitian police seized 1.05 tons of cocaine off the northern coast of Tortuga Island—Haiti’s largest-ever cocaine bust. A Jamaican man was killed and a Bahamian wounded in the operation, authorities confirmed.

PNH seized record 1.05 tons of cocaine in historic raid

The boat was allegedly headed for the United States via the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Prosecutor Jeir Pierre said law enforcement had monitored the route for years but was hindered by a lack of resources.

The recent uptick in drug trafficking cases suggests Haiti is playing an increasingly central role in Caribbean smuggling routes. The cannabis and cocaine intercepted over the past two weeks point to growing ties between Haitian operatives and regional networks such as Jamaica’s Shower Posse and other transnational crime syndicates.

In February 2023, a Jamaican man, Mitchell Winston Evan, 47, and a Haitian, Kerby Fils-Aimé, 21, were arrested in Fort Saint-Michel, near Cap-Haïtien, with 192.5 kg of cannabis.  Both men were charged, but the case remains under review.

Experts warn that increasing youth cannabis use in Haiti, combined with weak border security and widespread corruption, has made the country an ideal hub for trafficking. Human rights groups have also voiced concerns about drug profits being channeled to gangs controlling large swaths of the capital, the Artibonite Department—a bridge to the north—and the Central Plateau near the border with the Dominican Republic to the east.

As youth turn to marijuana, some fear Haiti’s future is going up in smoke

Residents refer to this baz bóz, which literally means the “weed station” in English, as Lakou New York, or New York Yard. Here, a few dealers usually sit on a tire or chair, or sometimes they stand.

While Haiti’s BLTS has yet to comment on the Cap-Haïtien case, the pattern of seizures suggests enforcement agencies will need regional coordination to combat an increasingly transnational drug trade.

Editor’s Note:Daniella Saint-Louis, collaborator of The Haitian Times in Haiti, contributed to this reporting.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 18 juillet 2025

Haiti’s president was killed 4 years ago. The questions around his death remain unanswered

Despite arrests and a U.S. trial moving forward, Haiti’s own inquiry into the president’s murder is bogged down by gangs, court delays and threats

by The Haitian Times Jun. 18, 2025

Overview:

Nearly four years after Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated, no suspects imprisoned in Haiti have gone to trial. While the U.S. judicial system has secured guilty pleas from several defendants, Haiti’s case remains mired in gang violence, judicial instability and political pressure.

By Evens Sanon and Dánica Coto | Associated Press
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Not one suspect imprisoned in Haiti has faced trial after being charged in the killing of President Jovenel Moïse, who was gunned down at his home in the nation’s capital nearly four years ago.

Gang violence, death threats and a crumbling judicial system have stalled an ongoing investigation defined by outbursts and tense exchanges between suspects and judges.

“You failed in your mission. And you are not ashamed to declare yourself innocent,” Judge Claude Jean said in a booming voice as he stood and faced a Haitian policeman responsible for protecting the president, who was shot 12 times in Port-au-Prince on July 7, 2021.

Jean is one of six Haitian judges investigating whether there is enough evidence to warrant a trial for the 20 suspects held in the troubled Caribbean country. Authorities said some of the suspects envisioned a coup, not an assassination, leading to lucrative contracts under a new administration.

The suspects include 17 former soldiers from Colombia and three Haitian officials: an ex-mayor, a former policeman and a former Haiti Ministry of Justice employee who worked on an anti-corruption unit. 

Missing are several key Haitian suspects who escaped last year after a powerful gang federation raided Haiti’s two biggest prisons, including Dimitri Hérard, ex-head of security at Haiti’s National Palace.

Three other suspects, all Colombians, were killed hours after Moïse was slain, while a key suspect in the case, Haitian Superior Court Judge Windelle Coq Thélot, died in January while still a fugitive.

Courthouse under siege

The investigation was repeatedly halted by the resignation of judges who feared for their lives. Defense attorneys then appealed after the court ruled there was sufficient evidence for trial. Jean and five other judges are now tasked with restarting the inquiry. But determining complicity among 51 suspects is only one of numerous challenges.

Last year, powerful gangs seized control of the downtown Port-au-Prince courthouse where the judges were interrogating suspects. The hearings were suspended until the government rented a home in Pacot, a neighborhood once considered safe enough for the French embassy. But gangs controlling 85% of Haiti’s capital recently attacked and forced the government to move again.

The hearings restarted in May, this time in a private home in Pétion-Ville, a community trying to defend itself from gangs seeking full control of Port-au-Prince.

‘Nothing we could do’

As a fan swirled lazily in the background, Judge Phemond Damicy grilled Ronald Guerrier in late May.

One of several police officers tasked with protecting the president, Guerrier insisted he never entered Moïse’s home and couldn’t fight the intruders because he was dazed by a stun grenade.

“The attackers were dressed all in black. They wore balaclavas and blinded us with their flashlights. I couldn’t identify anyone,” Guerrier testified, adding they used a megaphone to claim they were U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents. “The attackers operated as if they were entering their own home. It seemed they knew the place perfectly.”

Damicy asked if they shot at drones that Guerrier said were buzzing above the president’s home.

“The attackers covered the entire area with their fire,” Guerrier replied. 

“There was nothing we could do.”

Damicy grew exasperated. “Under no circumstances should an enemy cross you with impunity to commit his crime,” he said. “In your place, I would fire on the enemy. I would even die, if necessary.”

‘I don’t know’

Inside the investigation’s heavily guarded, stone-and-concrete headquarters in a leafy residential community, raised voices have dominated tense interrogations.

One judge stood and thundered a question about a gun: “On the day of the death of President Jovenel Moïse, were you in possession of a Galil?”

In another outburst in March, a judge repeatedly pressed Joseph Badio, the former Ministry of Justice official who spent two years on the run, about his call to former Prime Minister Ariel Henry after the assassination. At the time, Henry had only been nominated as prime minister by Moïse.

“You can say whatever you want with your mouth,” Badio told the judge, who ordered him to sit as he rose while speaking. “There is no prohibition for me to communicate with anyone I want.”

The tension has carried over into interrogations of the Colombian suspects, who maintain they were hired by a Miami-based security firm to provide security for power and water treatment plants and diplomatic officials, as well as train Haitian police and soldiers.

The Colombians have denied involvement, while their attorney, Nathalie Delisca, said there has been no presumption of innocence during the interrogations.

“The treatment inflicted on the detainees was inhumane,” she said, alleging mistreatment by authorities after their arrest.

The former soldiers said they were beaten, threatened with death, forced to sign documents in a language they don’t understand and barred from communicating with their lawyers and families for long stretches.

“I have been subjected to degrading treatment. I have been subjected to physical and psychological torture,” Jheyner Alberto Carmona Flores said during a recent hearing.

He spoke Spanish in a clear and loud voice, sometimes correcting an interpreter translating his testimony into French.

“I have no involvement because I don’t know when or where the president was assassinated,” Carmona Flores said, claiming he was summoned to provide security at the perimeter of Moïse’s house and did not know the president had been fatally shot.

Working under threat

While the case in Haiti has stalled, the U.S. has charged 11 extradited suspects, with five already pleading guilty to conspiring to kill Moïse.

Five other suspects are awaiting trial, which is now scheduled for March 2026.

They include Anthony “Tony” Intriago, owner of Miami-based CTU Security, and Haitian-Americans James Solages, a key suspect, and Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a pastor, doctor and failed businessman who envisioned himself as Haiti’s new leader.

Moïse’s widow, Martine Moïse, is expected to testify in the U.S. case. She was injured in the attack and accused by a Haitian judge of complicity and criminal association, which her attorneys deny.

Court documents say the plan was to detain Jovenel Moïse and whisk him away, but changed after the suspects failed to find a plane or sufficient weapons. A day before Moïse died, Solages falsely told other suspects it was a CIA operation and the mission was to kill the president, the documents allege.

Bruner Ulysse, a lawyer and history professor in Haiti, lamented how the local investigation has highlighted what he called “profound challenges” in Haiti’s judicial system.

“While international efforts have yielded some results, the quest for justice in Haiti remains elusive,” Ulysse said. “Judges, prosecutors and lawyers operate under constant threat.”

US eyes new remittance tax to curb undocumented immigration in ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

A new tax aims to slow the money flow from immigrants to their home countries, sparking concerns in the Haitian diaspora

by The Haitian Times Jul. 09, 2025

Overview:

A controversial new provision taxing remittances sent from the United States to foreign countries is set to take effect early next year as a strategy to curb undocumented immigration. Haitian American communities fear the measure could hurt families dependent on remittances.

Tucked between lines of legal jargon in President Donald Trump’s sweeping new “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed into law on the Fourth of July, is a provision with outsized impact on immigrant families: a 1% tax on international money transfers from the United States. Billed as a measure to curb undocumented immigration, the tax has sparked alarm across diaspora communities—especially among Haitians, who rely on remittances as a lifeline for loved ones back home

According to researchers at the Center for Global Development, the tax is likely to impact mainly Mexico, some middle-income countries like China and India, and Latin American countries, including Haiti. 

“[The] tax would be likely to reduce remittances sent through formal channels (such as banks and money transfer operators like Western Union by reducing the amount sent, as a portion is diverted towards the tax; and by discouraging remittances altogether,” commented in a blog post on the tax. 

Initially proposed as a 5% tax, the rate was reduced to 3.5% in the House version and further to 1% in the Senate draft. The tax applies primarily to cash-based transfers, such as those made with money orders or cashier’s checks, while transfers through U.S. banks or with U.S.-issued debit or credit cards are exempt. Earlier versions of the provisions called for senders who are U.S. citizens to be exempt from the tax — a measure that has since been removed because of implementation complications. 

Remittances make up roughly 17 percent of Haiti’s GDP, with more than $3.4 billion sent annually to the country, mainly from the United States.

Remittances from the U.S., in particular, make up the bulk of the money transfers. Of every $10 remitted to Haiti in 2020, at least $8 came from the U.S., according to the authors of an Inter-American Dialogue report, State Collapse and the Protection of Remittance Payments: Haiti in 2024, said.

“I still have to pay my employee, there’s not much I can do other than just accept it,” Pierre Paul, an Amazon warehouse worker based in Connecticut who sends remittances to Haiti, said about the tax in the new bill. 

Paul owns a Moncash office, a financial services platform, in Delmas 33 and sends $120 per month to his employee via Remitly or Western Union.

“If it’s one percent, it’s going to have a slight impact. The impact would have felt more if it was six percent,” Paul, 40, continued.

“What can I do? I will have to send the money anyway—my family needs it,” said a woman at a CAM Transfer location at the corner of Flatbush and Newkirk Avenue in Brooklyn, New York who chose to remain anonymous due to privacy concerns. 

“I’ll just have to pay the fee. He’s the boss, the president.”

A double tax for Haitians

After years of sending money to Haiti from the United States, a group of Haitians living in the U.S. were the lead plaintiffs in a lawsuit against former president Michel Martelly, Western Union, and others over a $1.50 fee on all international transfers — whether cash or digital —  to Haiti. 

The move sparked condemnation from advocates, officials and private citizens alike, calling the fee an unofficial tax on the diaspora without parliament’s approval. 

The case, filed in 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, accused Martelly, Western Union, CAM, Unibank, Digicel Haiti, and others of conspiring to impose fees on money transfers and phone calls, allegedly under the guise of funding education in Haiti. However, according to court documents obtained earlier this year by The Haitian Times, a federal judge dismissed the case in June 2023, citing a lack of evidence to support the claims of price-fixing or financial mismanagement.

With the $1.50 transfer still in place, Haitians are effectively facing a double tax on remittances, making it more expensive to send money to loved ones back home. 

Critics warn that the tax may push more remittance activities into informal channels, making them harder to track and potentially reducing the overall flow of funds to countries like Haiti. 

“They know Haitians care deeply for their families—they’re playing on our emotions to make more money,” said a man at a CAM Transfer location on Flatbush Avenue, who also chose to stay anonymous due to privacy concerns. He had just sent $800 to two relatives and said he wires money several times a month. 

“For people sending larger amounts, this tax might make them cut back. If someone sends four times a month, maybe now they’ll only send three,” said a clerk at another CAM Transfer location in Flatbush, Brooklyn, who requested anonymity due to job-related privacy concerns..

The provision is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Onz Chery contributed to this report.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 12 juillet 2025

Trump’s plan to end TPS for Haitians is hateful. Why aren’t more objecting? | Opinion

Bea L. HinesUpdated July 4, 2025 3:34 PM

Haitians fleeing armed gang violence in the capital and other regions of the country have crowded the northern port city of Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. On Sunday, June 29, 2025, merchants could be seen along the waterway trying to eek out a living in the city where jobs and housing are in short supply. Jacqueline Charles Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.

I, like many of you, try to look beyond the news headlines of horror and try to find the good in whatever the situation. These days, that’s kind of hard to do.

Take for instance, the news at the end of June that the Trump administration will try to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, citing “sufficient improvement” in Haiti so that Haitians could allegedly return home safely.

What a blatant lie.

It is no secret that Haiti has been a hellhole for many years. So, how did it recover without our knowing anything about it? 

Haiti has been roiled by natural disasters — the 2010 earthquake that killed more than 200,000, followed by devastating hurricanes. 

And the country has fallen victim to armed gangs, who think nothing of torching homes, schools and hospitals, killing and kidnapping the missionaries who risk their lives to bring hope and comfort to a people in dire need. 

Some were able to escape the turmoil and find solace, and a new life on these shores. But now, it seems, the solace many Haitians found here for many years is coming to an end. What will they go back to in Haiti? Where will they live? Or work? Or be educated? Or get medical attention?

When brutish and armed gangs took over a great portion of the country, the people who could leave were left with no other option but to flee. Over the years, Haiti, a land of majestic mountainsides and colorful creative people, gradually turned into a country in chaos. 

In September, the State Department issued a “Haiti Travel Advisory” warning Americans not to travel to Haiti “due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care.”

Even U.S. citizens still living in Haiti have been asked to leave the country as soon as possible or be prepared to shelter in place for an extended period. 

Does this sound like a place you would like to return to after having lived and worked and contributed to the economy of this country for many years? The Haitian people have become a part of our American landscape. 

More than 500,000 Haitian nationals are protected under TPS in the United States. If they were sent back to Haiti, we would be left with a great void, especially in South Florida, where their colorful culture has added flavor to the great Mixing Pot. 

So, while Haitians have eked out a life for themselves in many other parts of the country, I can hardly imagine a Miami without the Haitian influence. 

Let’s face it, folks — this isn’t about “restoring integrity” to the immigration system. Let’s call it what it really is: A blatant act of racism. It’s hating our sisters and brothers who happen to be from a Black nation.

Recently I heard an excerpt from a sermon by Pastor Loran Livingston, senior pastor at Central Church of God in Charlotte, N.C., who said: 

“This is 2025… this is the worse generation, the most, evil generation since the flood of Noah, and it’s getting worse every day…” But, Livingston said, “It is not only society that is rotten, but the so-called church religious people are more like the world every day and are bringing the world into its so-called worship. There is no longer a fear of God in this world and in most churches… The Bible says, ‘… the fear of the Lord is the beginning is wisdom… but the fear of the God is gone. Many Christians no longer have a quaking, respectful fear of the God who saved them.”

I thought about Livingston’s sermon for a while, listening to his words over and over again. And I thought: “This is so true.” I grew up in church. I have always loved a good soul-searching sermon, one where I leave church wanting to be a better person, wanting to reach out to others with compassion.

This move to send Haitians, many of whom have become Americanized, back to a country that is foreign to them shows a dire lack of compassion on the part of the Trump administration. The move — along with the building of Alligator Alcatraz in the Everglades — makes this generation look very bad, indeed. 

Where are the Evangelicals?

This is where I question the thousands of Evangelicals who support the president’s every move — even when it is the wrong move. 

I believe that if the true Bible-believing Evangelicals would stand up and get in a little “good trouble” as the late Congressman John Lewis once said, we would see some good changes happen in our country. People who love the Lord should also love the Lord’s people, including Haitians.

While I challenge the Evangelicals to try to persuade President Trump to rethink his order to end TPS for Haitians, I am not “picking” on them. I challenge them because of their staunch support of President Trump. If he listened to anyone, I believe it would be the Evangelicals. After all, many of them carry and promote his “Trump Bible.”

However, the burden of compassion is not solely left on the lap of the Evangelicals. As a believer, I know that God is love. He loves the just and the unjust. So, the message to love back is to us all. 

I don’t know what can be done to reverse President Trump’s decision to send a half-million people to what could mean their certain destruction. I just believe that none of us can afford to sit silently by and watch it happen.

After all — love is what love does. 

Bea Hines Al Diaz  Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.

This story was originally published July 4, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

National Center of Haitian Apostolate 

Happy 46th Anniversary of Priestly Life Monsignor Pierre André Pierre! 

 On June 30, 2025, Monsignor Pierre André Pierre, Executive Director of the National Center of  the Haitian Apostolate, celebrated his 46th anniversary of priestly life. Like many young men of his generation, young Peter André Peter had heard God's call asking him to surrender himself completely to Him in the priestly life, and he answered yes, like his divine mother the Most Holy Virgin Mary. Monsignor Pierre is known for his humility and gift of great human relationships. 

He is a son of Arcahaie, the city of the flag, and comes from a Catholic family for several generations. He is the eldest of a family of seven children. He received his primary education from the Brothers of Christian Instruction of Arcahaie and his secondary education at the Small Seminary College Saint Martial (Petit Seminaire Collège Saint Martial), directed by the Fathers of the Holy Spirit (the Spiritists) in Port-au-Prince. Through the Collège Saint Martial, the Spiritains, who were among the great enemies of the regime of President François Duvalier (Papa Doc), trained several generations of Haitian scholars, many of whom attended the Grand Seminary of Our Lady of Haiti, after high school, to study priesthood or their vocation. What Haitian student, at the Small Seminary College Saint Martial between 1949 and 1968 in secondary classes, can forget the eminent priest-teacher of History of Haiti, The late  Antoine Adrien, Director of the establishment, who helped to be useful to the youth of Haiti country ? The large Haitian community of the Diocese of Brooklyn-Queens from 1972 to early 1986 continues to fondly remember Father Antoine Adrien, Father William Smarth and other Haitian priests of the Salt magazine  for their great closeness to the refugees or the Boat People Haitians from New York State. Today the Haitian community does not always have a spiritual leader to count on at this difficult time in our history, as the first black nation that gained its independence at the price of blood, where the Haitian is everywhere humiliated, does not enjoy any respect, despite the significant contribution economic development of the countries in which he lives. 

 The seminarian André Pierre, after his studies at the Grand Seminary of Our Lady of Haiti, was ordained a priest on June 30, 1979 by His Excellency the late Archbishop Monsignor François Wolff Ligondé, the first Haitian Archbishop of Archidiocese of Port-au Prince. Subsequently, the young priest Pierre André Pierre attended the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem where he obtained a degree in biblical studies. Back in Haiti, Father Pierre André Pierre taught in several high schools and congregational colleges in the capital. He was successively Vice-Rector of the Grand Seminary Notre-Dame d'Haiti (Section of Philosophy in Cazeau) and Rector of the same institution (Section of Theology in Turgeau), affiliated to the Pontifical Urban University of Rome. While preparing a doctoral thesis in biblical studies at the Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C., Father Pierre André Pierre was appointed director of the Haitian ministry in the Archdiocese of Washington and exercised this ministry in the Haitian community throughout the region of Washington, D.C., including parts of Northern Virginia and Maryland from 1997 to 2003. During this period in the US capital, he taught the New Testament at the Theological Union of Washington, until his return to Haiti in September 2003. 

 In addition, Father Pierre André Pierre was appointed by the then Pope John Paul II, chaplain of His Holiness, conferring on him the title of Monsignor. This polyglot and highly educated priest has therefore held several prestigious positions within the Catholic Church of Haiti, notably as secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti and spokesman of the Catholic Church of Haiti from 2003 to 2009 and also as Rector of Haiti. the prestigious University of Our Lady of Haiti. 

 For nearly 4 years he has been the Executive Director of the National Center of the Haitian Apostolate Abroad. In this position, he continues to open his arms to work with anyone who believes that the Church is an organized body with Jesus Christ as its Center.

 Monsignor Pierre André Pierre is a very moderate priest who believes in unity within the Church. He does his best to bring his collaboration as Executive Director of the National Center of the Haitian Apostolate to the work of evangelization and the advancement of our community. He is keenly aware of the challenges of the National Center in this highly polarized Haitian community where it is not always easy to work and sit together. He has always taken care to listen very carefully to his interlocutors before giving his opinion or making a decision. Like many of our brothers and sisters, he continues to observe with great sadness the deteriorating situation of Haiti and the Haitian diaspora community where it is still not easy for us to sit together to help Haiti rise. 

 The staff of the National Center of the Haitian Apostolate, in communion with Radio Télé Solidarité, wishes a Happy 46th anniversary of priestly life to Monsignor Pierre André Pierre. May God continue to bless his ministry!

 Brother Tob

What is TPS and where it stands for Haitians today

Temporary Protected Status has shielded Haitians in the U.S. for over a decade—but its future remains uncertain

by The Haitian Times Jul. 03, 2025

Overview:

TPS has served as a legal lifeline for Haitians since 2010, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. amid crises back home. But a series of federal actions in 2025 have left the program—and its 500,000 beneficiaries—in flux.

Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is a special immigration designation granted by the U.S. government to nationals of countries experiencing severe crises—such as war, natural disasters, or political unrest—that make it unsafe for their return. For Haitians, TPS has been both a legal lifeline and a source of constant uncertainty.

When and why did Haitians first receive TPS?

TPS was first granted to Haitians in January 2010, in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that killed an estimated 300,000 people and displaced more than a million others. The designation allowed Haitian nationals already in the United States to live and work legally without fear of deportation.

Since then, the U.S. government has repeatedly extended Haiti’s TPS designation due to the country’s ongoing instability—triggered by political violence, natural disasters, economic collapse, and widespread gang control, particularly in Port-au-Prince.

As of 2025, more than 500,000 Haitian nationals are estimated to be TPS recipients, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

What does TPS provide?

TPS allows eligible Haitian nationals to:

• Legally live and work in the United States
• Apply for employment authorization documents (EAD)
• Be protected from deportation while the designation is active

TPS is not a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship, but it can provide temporary legal status and work rights during periods of crisis in one’s home country.

What’s changed in 2025?

In July 2024, President Joe Biden extended Haiti’s TPS designation for 18 months, pushing the expiration to Feb. 3, 2026. However, the Trump administration moved to reverse that in February 2025, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announcing a shortened expiration date of Aug. 3, 2025—cutting protections by six months.

Noem claimed the TPS system had been “exploited and abused for years,” and argued that Haiti’s conditions had improved enough for safe returns.

But advocates and lawmakers pushed back, calling the decision reckless. The House Haiti Caucus called the move “a shameful decision that could be a death sentence” for hundreds of thousands of Haitians facing deportation.

Has the shortened TPS deadline been overturned?

Yes—at least temporarily. On July 1, 2025, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to end Haitian TPS early. The court found that DHS had overstepped its legal authority by attempting to cut short the designation without following federal procedures.

U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan ruled that Haiti’s TPS must remain in place through Feb. 3, 2026, restoring the original expiration set under the Biden administration.

“This is a huge victory for 500,000 Haitians,” said Brian Concannon, director of the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti, shortly after the decision.

What happens after Feb. 3, 2026?

That remains unclear. By law, DHS must conduct a review of country conditions and issue a decision—either to renew or terminate TPS—at least 60 days before the expiration. The next review deadline would likely be early December 2025.

If TPS is renewed, current holders must re-register and apply for new work permits. If not, the designation could expire, leaving thousands of Haitians vulnerable to deportation.

What risks do TPS holders face now?

Despite the court ruling, TPS holders face mounting challenges:

• Job loss: Employers like Walmart, Amazon, and Sam’s Club in Ohio have already started terminating Haitian workers whose employment authorization documents were set to expire, The Haitian Times reported on July 1, 2025.
• Deportation fears: ICE has been granted expanded fast-track deportation powers, even for those with expiring or recently invalidated TPS status.
• Legal limbo: With delays in asylum processing and few alternative immigration pathways, many Haitians fear they’ll fall through the cracks.

Where can TPS holders get help?

Several organizations offer legal assistance and support for low or no cost:

• Haitian Community Network (HaCoNet): Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser. | 1-614-600-5530
• Legal Aid Society of New York: TK
• Ohio Immigrant Alliance: ohioimmigrant.org | 1-216-867-1800
• Immigration Advocates’ list of non-profit legal services: http://immigrationadvocates.org

TPS is a temporary shield, not a permanent fix. For Haitian nationals, it has provided crucial relief—but the policy remains subject to political winds. While the court ruling offers a reprieve until February 2026, the future of Haitian TPS—and the thousands who rely on it—remains uncertain.

UN: Haiti’s gangs now control nearly all of Port-au-Prince as violence spreads

UN officials say gangs dominate the capital and are expanding into new areas, while Haiti’s transitional government struggles to respond

by The Haitian Times Jul. 03, 2025

Overview:

United Nations officials told the Security Council that armed gangs now control about 90% of Haiti’s capital and are expanding across the country. They warned of near-total state collapse as violence intensifies, undermining public safety and humanitarian efforts.

By Edith M. Lederer | Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Haiti’s gangs have gained “near-total control” of the capital and authorities are unable to stop escalating violence across the impoverished Caribbean nation, senior U.N. officials warned Wednesday.

An estimated 90% of the capital Port-au-Prince is now under control of criminal groups who are expanding attacks not only into surrounding areas but beyond into previously peaceful areas, Ghada Fathy Waly, executive director of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, told the U.N. Security Council.

“Southern Haiti, which until recently was insulated from the violence, has seen a sharp increase in gang-related incidents,” she said. “And in the east, criminal groups are exploiting land routes, including key crossings like Belladere and Malpasse, where attacks against police and customs officials have been reported.”

Waly said the state’s authority to govern is rapidly shrinking as gang control expands with cascading effects. Criminal groups are stepping into the vacuum left by the absence or limited delivery of public services and are establishing “parallel governance structures,” and gang control of major trade routes has paralyzed legal commerce, leading to soaring prices for cooking fuel and rice, Haiti’s staple food, she said.

U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca told the council “the ongoing gang encirclement of Port-au-Prince” and their strengthened foothold in the capital and beyond is “pushing the situation closer to the brink.”

“Without increased action by the international community, the total collapse of state presence in the capital could become a very real scenario,” he warned.

Gangs have grown in power since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïsein July 2021 and previously were estimated to control 85% of the capital. Haiti has not had a president since the assassination.

A U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police arrived in Haiti last year to help quell gang violence, but the mission remains understaffed and underfunded, with only about 40% of the 2,500 personnel originally envisioned. 

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ proposal in February to have the U.N. provide drones, fuel, ground and air transport and other non-lethal support to the Kenya-led mission has languished in the council.

In response to the gangs, the UNODC’s Waly said there has been a rapid growth in the number and activities of private security companies and vigilante self-defense groups, with some trying to protect their communities while others act illegally and collude with gangs.

“Over the last three months,” Jenca said, “these groups reportedly killed at least 100 men and one woman suspected of gang association or collaboration.”

He said the last three months have also seen an increase in sexual violence by gangs with the U.N. political mission in Haiti documenting 364 incidents of sexual violence involving 378 survivors just from March to April.

A new report by U.N. experts covering the period from last October through February said the gangs have exploited political turmoil and the disorganized response to Haiti’s security crisis, pointing to competing political ambitions and allegations of corruption within Haiti’s transitional governing bodies that have stymied action.

“While the expansion of territorial control brings gangs additional sources of revenue and bargaining power,” the experts said, “these attacks are also backed by individuals trying to destabilize the political transition for their own political goals.”

One major result is that very little progress has been made toward restoring public security or implementing the roadmap for organizing national elections by February 2026, the experts monitoring an arms embargo on Haiti and sanctions against key gang leaders said in the report to the Security Council.

With a weak national police force facing acute tensions in its leadership, an army that needs rebuilding, and the limited ability of the multinational force, the experts warned that the gangs will continue “to have the upper hand unless stronger international support is provided.”

As for vigilante groups, the experts said, they “often include local police officers, some of whom actively participate in human rights violations.”

The Haitian National Police have also carried out “a worrying number of extrajudicial killings … with suspected gang members often summarily executed,” the experts said, pointing to 281 summary executions by specialized police units in 2024 including 22 women and 8 children.

Despite the U.N. arms embargo on Haiti, gangs continue to obtain more powerful weapons not only from regional civilian markets but from police stockpiles in Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic, the experts said.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 18 juin 2025

Congressman Lawler urges reversal of Trump administration’s ban on Haiti

Mid-Hudson News Staff

US Capitol

WASHINGTON D.C.- Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17) is urging the Trump Administration to reconsider the full suspension of entry for Haitian nationals.

Haiti was one of 12 countries put on President Trump’s ban this week. The move prevents the entry of foreigners who are seeking to come to the U.S. permanently as legal immigrants, as well as those with temporary visas, including tourists. Lawler represents Rockland County and portions of Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties. Approximately 12,000 Haitians live in Spring Valley in Rockland.

“Haiti’s disaster has been growing, and given our proximity to the nation and our historical interventions,” Lawler said. “We have a moral duty to help. Haitians cannot do it alone,” Congressman Lawler stated. “This travel ban will only deepen the suffering of Haitians, many of whom have strong ties to the U.S., including the vibrant Haitian diaspora in the Hudson Valley that I represent in Congress, and risks isolating Haiti further at a time when they need our support most.

According to Lawler, the situation in Haiti has deteriorated, spiraling into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that demands global attention and support. Armed gangs control large swaths of the capital, Port-au-Prince, with their influence spreading to other regions. Violence, including gang-related atrocities, has surged, with over 1,600 people killed in the first three months of 2025 alone, and more than 1 million Haitians internally displaced.

Famine conditions have emerged, with many surviving on just one meal a day. This disaster, exacerbated by corruption, poor governance, and a continuous flow of illicit weapons, has only grown worse, leaving the Haitian people in desperate need of assistance.

“The ban’s inclusion of Haiti is a misguided overreach that ignores the root causes of the crisis,” Lawler said. “The United States has led three interventions in Haiti that have ultimately failed to create long-term stability, and the United States has a unique responsibility to act.

Pan-Africanist Kémi Séba urges Haitians to forgive gangs, calls it key to ‘second revolution’

At a symposium in northern Haiti, Séba argued reconciliation with gangs is essential to fighting foreign powers he blames for destabilizing the country

by Onz Chéry Jun. 11, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Pan-Africanist leader Kémi Séba pointing his finger at an audience at State University of Haiti, Henri Christophe Campus of Limonade during a conference on June 2, 2025. Photo by Onz Chéry/ The Haitian Times.

Overview:

Pan-Africanist activist Kémi Séba has urged Haitians to forgive gangs— if they disarm and change course—and ally with them to ignite a “pan-African revolution.” Séba said some gang leaders wept during conversations about his proposal for reconciliation and revolution.

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Speaking before hundreds of students at a university symposium in northern Haiti in early June, controversial West African political activist and Pan-Africanist Kémi Séba urged Haitians to forgive gang members and unite with them against what he called the “exogenous forces” destabilizing the country. 

The provocative call on June 2, delivered at the State University of Haiti’s Henri Christophe campus in Limonade, has drawn mixed reactions as Haiti continues to grapple with a gang-fueled security crisis claiming thousands of lives and displacing over a million residents.

Séba, born Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi in France to Beninese parents, framed his message as part of a broader pan-African revolution, asserting that reconciliation with the gangs—if they disarm and change course—is essential for Haiti’s political and spiritual rebirth.

“Without the desire to spread true love among us, without putting the guns down, Haiti won’t stand up,” Séba said. 

“If the gangs stop being assassins and become security forces who will stand beside the people in mobilizations to denounce the exogenous forces destabilizing Haiti, Haiti will become the epicenter of the Black revolution.”

“The problem with Black people, like Malcolm X said, is that they’re very good at forgiving white people—those who colonized us—but we can never forgive Black people.”

Kémi Séba, Pan-Africanist activistnormal

The crowd, largely made up of university students, applauded loudly. Séba did not initially name the “exogenous forces” he referenced, but later identified the United States, Canada and France as foreign powers he believes are complicit in Haiti’s crisis. He accused those governments of flooding the country with weapons to stoke internal conflict.

“Those who present themselves as friends of Haiti have been their enemies from the beginning,” he said. “They give Haitians guns in massive quantities and sit back while we kill each other.”

A revolution’s epicenter

Séba’s visit to Haiti, following recent appearances in Ethiopia, Mali and Burkina Faso—countries that have distanced themselves from Western influence—signals his view of Haiti as pivotal to a global Black liberation movement. He referred to the country as the “epicenter” of a second Black revolution.

But while some attendees embraced his message of unity, others rejected the idea of forgiving gangs that have unleashed unprecedented levels of violence and suffering.

In 2024 alone, more than 5,600 people were killed in gang-related violence, according to United Nations figures. Armed groups control roughly 90% of Port-au-Prince and have expanded their influence into provincial cities such as Mirebalais and large parts of the Artibonite Department. Gang members have committed mass killings, extortions, sexual violence, arson and forced displacements across the country.

Despite that history, the Pan-Africanist political leader, activist, writer and geopolitical journalist known for his opposition to “Françafrique and imperialism” in the 21st century, insists forgiveness is the only viable path forward.

“The problem with Black people, like Malcolm X said, is that they’re very good at forgiving white people—those who colonized us—but we can never forgive Black people,” he said.

Séba claimed to have spoken directly with several unnamed gang leaders, saying some of them were moved to tears and expressed regret for their actions. Still, he added a caveat.

“Those who don’t seek forgiveness must be executed,” he said.

A polarizing message from France to Benin and Haiti

The proposal, arguably the first by a prominent figure to openly advocate for reconciliation with gangs, left attendees divided.

Jodlin ‘Gagòt’ Etienne, a small business owner from Quartier-Morin, a nearby Downtown Cap-Haïtien town, said that despite being affected by gang roadblocks, he supports Séba’s appeal.

“It’s not about forgiving—it’s about where forgiveness will take us,” Etienne said. “We need true forgiveness between us. We won’t be able to live well without it.”

Cap-Haïtien resident Mickenson Nordys also supports reconciliation, but noted that victims of gang violence—especially those in the capital—may not be ready.

“I haven’t lived what they’ve lived,” he said. “People who were raped, kidnapped, or displaced may not be ready to forgive like I am. But I believe that to move forward, we have to forgive by any means necessary.”

Séba is one of the most outspoken Pan-African activists of the past decade. In July 2024, he was stripped of his French nationality following years of anti-colonial activism. He is reportedly preparing a presidential bid in Benin for 2026.

During his stay in northern Haiti, Séba also spoke at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Management in Cap-Haïtien on May 30.

While his message resonated with some attendees, it also reignited painful debates about justice, accountability, and how to chart a path out of Haiti’s multidimensional crisis—a crisis shaped by both internal violence and long-standing foreign entanglements.

“Every student here is a means to realize the Haitian dream of living together,” Séba said. “I see in every young person a potential for resistance against national disintegration.”

National Center of Haitian Apostolate 

Sunday, June 15, 2025 – Solemnity of the Trinity - C

Proverbs 8:22-31; Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Romans 5:1-5; Jn 16:12-15.

Fr. Jean Ralph Riccardy Pompée THÉODAT

 Brothers and sisters! During these last Sundays, the liturgy has focused on the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity. Pentecost (Holy Spirit) Ascension (Son and Father). On this Sunday, we celebrate the loving relationship of the Three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity, the first principal mystery of the faith: "Unity and Trinity of God". We have been baptized and receive all the sacraments in the name of the Holy Trinity, we begin the day by invoking Him with the sign of the Cross; We do everything in his name and for his glory; at the end of this earthly life, we will be blessed in the name of the Most Holy Trinity. A path of life that begins and returns to God. It is a mystery that is not comprehensible in its fullness by human reason, but we can live, step by step in our lives, this relationship with the Divine.

 . The first reading that we have just heard and that we are meditating on reveals to us a mystery: there is an eternal God, who is before the beginning of all things. Mysteriously, the book of Proverbs reveals to us that this eternal Being or the "Lord" was at work. In the beginning of all things, he made eternal Wisdom resemble him.

 . It is important to note that our knowledge of God does not come from our extensive study and scholarly speculations, but from the revelation that the Lord makes of Himself. We did not invent a God in our image, it is He who revealed Himself to us from Abraham and Moses! And besides, if we had created Him in our image, He would not be called the "God of tenderness and mercy!" but we would have made Him the God of law, vengeance, and punishment. 

 . But how can we preach about God's deepest being, his essence, when no one has ever seen Him? What Jesus says at the beginning of today's Gospel text is of extraordinary value : "I still have many things to say to you, but for now you cannot bear them. When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will lead you into all truth." 

One thing is certain, to speak of the Trinity is to speak of God. Not of what he is behind closed doors, but of his manifestations, his adventures through the world of men.

 . In the second reading, Saint Paul tells us that "the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" has the role of pouring out God's love in our hearts. The Holy Spirit thus reaches our inner dimension, the deepest dimension of our being. It is God in us who guides us, teaches us, invites us to action, communion, comforts, and strengthens us. 

 . Brothers and sisters! God is not an executioner who spies on and punishes at the slightest mistake, but a Father who patiently waits for the return of his daughter or his prodigal son to celebrate, without asking for an account of what has happened (Luke 15:11-32). He welcomes the workers of the last hour (Matthew 20:1-16), all those who are deemed unworthy to attend synagogues (Luke 13:14), marginalized lepers (Luke 17:11-18, 14), publicans, sinners (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32). He dialogues indiscriminately with the Samaritan woman (John 4:1-42) and protects the adulterous woman (John 8:1-11). He welcomes the thief condemned to die with him on the cross (Luke 23:32-43). This God of tenderness and love invites us to a covenant with him. He inspires and strengthens us. He is our support and comfort. In fact, we are Christians, not because we love God, but rather because we believe that God loves us.

 . We could "summarize" today's feast as follows: God the Father is the source and purpose of life; Jesus Christ is the way to the end; the Holy Spirit is the strength to walk on the road and reach the goal. Amen!

 Fr. Jean Ralph Riccardy Pompée THÉODAT

What to do if immigration agents approach you | Fact sheet

A guide for the Haitian community on knowing your rights and preparing for interactions with ICE agents.

by The Haitian Times Jan. 27, 2025

A step-by-step guide for immigrants to navigate ICE encounters, including Haitian Creole resources and legal support.

Editors note: This tip sheet will be periodically updated. Last update: 02/13/2025

As the Trump Administration’s hectic immigration crackdown continues, immigrant advocates continue to update guidance to help targeted communities respond. One area they are raising awareness around is immigration enforcement’s use of duplicitous tactics that can cause immigrants to incriminate themselves. Some officers may use ploys to gain access to your home, vehicle or other property. Others may lie by omission or outright to persuade you to let them search and seize your space or belongings. 

Navigating encounters with immigration enforcement agents (ICE) can be daunting, but knowing your rights and preparing in advance can make a significant difference. This fact sheet provides essential steps to help immigrants, especially members of the Haitian community, protect themselves and their families during these situations.

1. Know Your Rights: You should be informed about your rights when interacting with ICE, including the right to remain silent and the right to refuse entry to agents without a warrant.

• Nan Kominote Nou Yo, Nan Lari Nou Yo (In Our Communities, In Our Streets)
• Si ICE Arete Nou (If ICE Arrests Us)
• Lè ICE Dèyè Pòt Nou (When ICE is at Our Doors)
• Anndan Lakay Nou (Inside Our Homes)

2. Carry a red card: This business card-sized red document created by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) provides instructions on what to do in an interaction with ICE. It also lists essential legal contacts and encourages immigrants to have an emergency plan in place.

Red Cards link: https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas

3. Document the event: If you witness an ICE operation, take note of the time, location and any other details that may help document the situation.

4. Reach out for help: Get support through local advocacy organizations such as HaCoNet, which provides resources and legal counsel.

5. Stay connected: Continue to monitor the situation, but verify the credibility of all information.

6. Protect yourself during ICE encounters: Immigration enforcement officers may use deceptive tactics to gain access to homes, vehicles, or workplaces. Understanding your rights can help you avoid self-incrimination.

• Do not open the door unless ICE presents a valid, judge-signed warrant with your name on it.
• If they show an unsigned or incorrect warrant, state that they have the wrong address or person and ask them to leave.
• If ICE enters without proper authorization, clearly state, “I do not consent to a search,” then remain silent.
• Do not sign any documents given to you by immigration officers or law enforcement.
• If ICE arrives at your workplace, remain in areas not open to the public unless they have a signed warrant for you.
• Do not point out errors in their paperwork. Mistakes such as misspelled names or incorrect dates of birth may be useful in legal proceedings later.

7. Know your immigration status and plan ahead:

Being informed and prepared can help protect you and your loved ones in case of an immigration enforcement action.

• Discuss immigration status with trusted family members, especially if it is uncertain.
• Secure important immigration documents in a safe location, ensuring a trusted person can access copies if needed.
• Develop a family plan in case of detention or separation, including arrangements for children’s care if applicable.

Editor’s note: This fact sheet is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Individuals facing immigration-related issues should consult a qualified attorney or accredited legal representative for guidance specific to their situation.