TPS: Black Caucus asks the Trump administration to show compassion
The Miami Herald
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus joined a growing chorus of voices calling on the Trump administration to show compassion for tens of thousands of Haitians who are at risk of being deported back to Haiti under a federal agency recommendation.
In a letter sent to Department of Homeland Secretary John Kelly Tuesday, the bipartisan House caucus asks the administration to “show compassion” and extend Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status designation for another 18 months.
The plea comes on the heels of a recommendation by acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, James McCament, that the special immigration status, often referred to as TPS, be extended for only six months past the current July 22 expiration date. Under that recommendation, TPS for Haitians would end Jan. 22.
McCament issued the recommendation to Kelly in an April 10 memo. Kelly has until May 23 to decide. If no decision is made, TPS will be automatically extended for six months, according to federal law. Haitians received TPS after the devastating 2010 earthquake in the Caribbean country. A recommendation for its extension after Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti in 2016 was never acted upon.
The recommendation to end TPS has fueled at least two petitions from Haitian activists, letters from Republican and Democratic lawmakers and 416 faith-based leaders and organizations, and editorials in publications including the Miami Herald, Washington Post and New York Times.
Trump once told Haitians he’d be their ‘greatest champion.’ Now he wants to deport them
BY FABIOLA SANTIAGO
For a fanatically anti-immigrant presidential candidate, Donald Trump’s campaign stop to hobnob with members of Miami’s Haitian community and make campaign promises many of us suspected he wouldn’t keep was, at best, bizarre.
But a hopeful crowd of voters welcomed Trump at a marketplace and visitor center in the heart of Little Haiti in September. Some were Republicans, some independents, some frustrated Democrats. Some were well-to-do, others working class, others activists. One was a former finance minister of Haiti.
Trump told Haitians they shared “a lot of common values” and pushed the narrative that the Clintons failed Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake. Money slated for recovery, he told them, went to “their cronies.”
“I really want to be your greatest champion,” Trump said.
Flash forward to President Trump. There’s been no appointment of a Haitian American as ambassador to Haiti, as he led them to believe he would do. Heck, there’s not even a properly staffed State Department with an expert hand in charge of Western Hemisphere affairs.
But there’s a battalion operating at the Department of Homeland Security working to deport millions of immigrants without permanent resident status in the country — and it’s the Haitians’ turn.
In a memo to Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, the acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, James McCament, said the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allowing some 58,000 Haitians to live and work in the United States since the earthquake — which left 300,000 people dead and 1.5 million injured — should be terminated instead of renewed. It expires on July 22.
Unless enough public outcry reverses the course, this means deportation to a poverty-stricken nation that hasn’t recuperated from one natural disaster before it’s been hit with another, from deadly floods to a cholera epidemic brought by U.N. peacekeepers to last summer’s Hurricane Matthew.
The high levels of displacement and homelessness, food and water shortages, and lack of sanitary conditions in many parts of the country make it very difficult for the country to reabsorb returned nationals, a panel of experts eloquently argued Tuesday.
“Rains have started and there’s already been flooding,” Dr. Paul Farmer, who shuttles between Harvard University and Haiti, said via phone conference. “This morning the water is dark brown. I wouldn’t drink it. I wouldn’t even bathe in it.”
To all that suffering, add political instability to the mix.
MORE THAN 400 FAITH LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS NATIONWIDE URGE SUPPORT FOR HAITIANS AT RISK FOR DEPORTATION
Call on DHS Secretary Kelly to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haiti for another 18 months
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CWS and Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. announced today that 248 leaders from across faith traditions and 168 faith-based organizations delivered a letter to DHS Secretary Kelly, urging him to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS), currently set to expire in July, for at least 18 months for our Haitians neighbors in the United States.
In the wake of the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti, the U.S. government committed to protecting Haitians already in the United States. Today, about 58,000 Haitians have been able to rebuild their lives, work, and raise a family in safety. DHS is now considering terminating TPS for our Haitian brothers and sisters, and we call on Secretary Kelly to live up to our American values of compassion, generosity, and welcome.
“Faith in God calls on us to welcome the stranger and stand with the vulnerable. We cannot turn our backs on the vulnerable Haitians whom we pledged to welcome after the devastating natural disasters that forced thousands from their homes,” said CWS President and CEO Reverend John L. McCullough. “Terminating TPS would violate our our closely-held moral, religious and American values to stand for the human rights and dignity of all people. As hunger, disease, and the worst cholera epidemic in the world persist in Haiti, we pray that Secretary Kelly remembers the common values we all aspire to: to love our neighbors.”
“Ending TPS for Haitians – whose country struggles to recover from an unprecedented string of catastrophic events – offends American and Catholic values,” said Jeanne Atkinson, executive director of Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). “It would be cruel and unconscionable to stop protecting from deportation the 50,000 Haitian TPS holders who live and work peacefully in the United States. The ripple effects of sending Haitian TPS holders home would further destabilize that fragile country. Extending TPS is the compassionate and just approach.”
“As a Christian, my faith has taught and called me to welcome without discrimination, stand with the vulnerable, and love my neighbor,” said Rev. Dr. Ronald J. Degges, President, Disciples Home Missions, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). “I absolutely believe that my faith calls me to do everything in my power to meet our Haitian neighbors with the same welcome that our Biblical ancestors, who were once immigrants and refugees, received. We cannot call ourselves Christian and reject the most vulnerable among us. Extend TPS for Haitians for at least another 18 months. It is the American and Christian thing to do—and would honor the deep love I feel for the people of Haiti, and the many contributions they continue to offer to our communities and to our congregations.”
“Our God commands us in our scriptures like Deuteronomy 15:11 to ‘open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land,’” said Rev. Dr. Philius Nicolas, Evangelical Crusade of Fishers of Men, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Brooklyn, N.Y. “Our faith communities follow God’s word to ‘welcome the sojourner,’ and we have done this for decades by offering spiritual care, social support, health ministries, and integration resources. The Haitians now in the U.S. who have received Temporary Protected Status are indeed in great need in our land. They did not come here because they desired to leave their homeland of Haiti, but rather left because of great disasters, poverty, and dangers of disease that still continue. To separate families to make them return to such conditions would be against the values of our faith. Instead, extending TPS would actually bring great value to the United States, because we already have seen for decades how Haitians in the U.S. offer many strengths to the communities where they settle.“
Join our press call with Center for American Progress at 10:30 AM today (Tuesday) for further information: Call 877-627-6582, Conference ID: 4980094. Click here to take action and urge Secretary Kelly to extend TPS protections for Haitians in the United States for at least another 18 months.
Cholera cases down 60 percent in Haiti
May 8, 2017
The number of cholera cases reported in Haiti through Apr. 8 this year is down significantly compared to the same periods in 2015 and 2016, according to a new report from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
A total of 4,871 suspected cholera cases were reported in Haiti, including 69 deaths to date. This represents a 60 and 61 percent decrease compared to the 12,373 and 12,226 suspected cholera cases reported during the same period in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
In addition, the 69 deaths reported in 2017 represents a 41% and 50% decrease compared to the 116 and 139 deaths reported during the same period in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
All 10 Departments of Haiti have reported suspected cholera cases during 2017. The five departments with the highest rates in descending order are: Centre, Ouest (which includes the capital city of Port-au-Prince), Nippes, Artibonite, and Nord.
Since the cholera outbreak began in October 2010, months after the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake, 800,665 cases have been reported, including 9,480 deaths.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It has a short incubation period, ranging between two hours and five days.
The bacterium produces an enterotoxin that causes a copious, painless, watery diarrhea that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death if treatment is not promptly given. Vomiting also occurs in most patients.
It affects both children and adults and can kill within hours. Person-to-person transmission is not common.
Among people who develop symptoms, about 80-90% of episodes are of mild or moderate severity and are difficult to distinguish clinically from other types of acute diarrhea. Less than 20% of ill persons develop acute watery diarrhea with moderate or severe dehydration.
People with low immunity, such as malnourished children or people living with HIV, are at greater risk of death if infected.
Tourism: Haiti host of the next International Bar Conference
Last Friday, Colombe Émilie Jessy Menos, the Minister of Tourism, spoke with Stanley Gaston, the president of the Bar Association of Port-au-Prince, and some of his colleagues. The topic of this conversation focused on holding the next International Bar Conference (CIB) in Haiti from December 6th through 9th, 2017. As host country, Haiti will welcome representatives of 120 bars coming from 42 countries.
Charter Haiti airline connects Montreal to Haiti
Griot, banana pesee, riz collé - all the Haitian fixings will be aboard the Charter Haiti flights from Montreal to Port-au-Prince. The new airline celebrated its inaugural flight from the Pierre-Elliot Trudeau Airport in Montreal on May 6th.
This Haitian airline offers competitive prices and other conveniences to its customers. By permitting two 25-pound suitcases, Haiti Charter accommodates Haitians known to have luggage surpluses when travelling.
"We tell our customers that we can send their luggage surpluses on another flight or by cargo, because we offer that service as well. Their luggage should arrive 48 hours later in Port-au-Prince," asserts Michel Romain, the CEO of Charter Haiti.
Romain, a former real estate agent, invested about a half-million dollars in this company. Charter Haiti has a fleet of seven planes with pilots from Quebec for a safe and secure mode of transportation.
The company, based in Canada, has already passed all of the steps needed for certification for transport in order to begin operating this month. Although Charter Haiti began its first flight in Montreal, the company expects to set up other flights, in particular from Fort Meyers (Florida) to Port-au-Prince.
The headquarters of Charter Haiti are located at 6770, Rue Jarry Est. Suite 230, Montreal, Quebec H1P 1W3, Canada. They can also be reached by e-mail at:
Leonardo DiCaprio Joins Sean Penn at Haiti Takes Root Benefit Dinner
Naomi Campbell, Ellie Goulding and Andy Cohen were also on hand to share their support for the J/P Haitian Relief Organization at the annual gala.
On Jan. 12, 2010, the lives of thousands of Haitians were forever changed in 53 seconds by a devastating earthquake, leaving many homeless and in need of medical care. It was during the immediate aftermath of this grave natural disaster that Sean Penn founded J/P Haitian Relief Organization as an emergency response to save lives. And with each passing year, millions of dollars are raised to help to rebuild the country.
On Friday night, the organization held its annual gala, an event that usually takes place in Los Angeles, at Sotheby's in New York City, co-hosted by Bryan Lourd and David Geffen. Many of Penn's friends were in attendance, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Campbell, Ellie Goulding, Andy Cohen and Donna Karan, who came to show their support for the organization's newest initiative, Haiti Takes Root, which is helping with reforestation following Hurricane Matthew.
"Haiti was devastated by Hurricane Matthew," Penn said as he explained the new initiative, "and I watched from another country as news organizations said no one is doing anything for these people."
Haiti Takes Root will for the first time ever be able to reverse hundreds of years of deforestation, thanks to the generous donations of its supporters, many of whom were in attendance on Friday night. And it was with the help of DiCaprio, who, after making an incognito entrance, made himself very valuable in raising funds. The actor and activist added himself to one of the auction items in order to up the ante from $200,000 to $225,000. A dinner experience with Penn and former President Bill Clinton was bid on for $200k, but Leo said aloud he'd also join the dinner if someone would make it $225k, which they did.
It was a night to remember, with acoustic performances by Damien Rice and Andra Day, who, in the spirit of the evening, performed her hit "Rise Up," bringing everyone to their feet for a standing ovation.
To close out the event, Penn took to the stage to share a few more words: "Haiti could be an example of not how bad a country could be, but how it could rise up from its current situation and achieve something better. And if it can happen in Haiti, it can happen in the rest of the world, and that becomes an example to the rest of the world on how hope and renewal can be found in the face of death and devastation."
The St. Luke Foundation Inaugurates St. Luke Hospital and International Training Center
Construction Supported by USAID/ASHA Grant
Port-au-Prince, April 27, 2017- Chargé d’Affaires Brian Shukan joined St. Luke’s Foundation, the Haitian Ministry of Health, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to inaugurate the first international medical training center in Haiti.
The training center consists of two training and simulation rooms, a conference room, and an administrative meeting room.
“This state-of-the-art medical training center will ensure that St. Luke staff and the greater Haitian medical community have a base to build and hone the most current skills they need to continue their vital work,” said Shukan.
The construction was supported by a $500,000 grant from USAID’s Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA), and the facility will host its first international conference, “The Haitian Acute Care and Emergency Care Conference“ on April 28 and 29.
“Continuing Medical Education (CME) is a guarantee of quality in healthcare,” said St. Luke Mission medical director, Dr. Marc Edson Augustin. “The conference will be the first of many such experiences at St. Luke's new training center, furthering our primary goal of bringing quality and dignified care to the most vulnerable.”
USAID/ASHA grants support the construction and purchase of equipment for medical institutions in Haiti. Additional recipients of ASHA grants include St. Boniface Haiti Foundation; Catholic Relief Services for equipment at Hospital St. Francois de Sales; Albert Schweitzer Hospital; and the International Child Care’s training center and inpatient child care unit. Since 1979, ASHA grants have provided over $21 million in support to projects in Haiti.
Support for St. Luke also includes a wastewater treatment system for the hospital implemented through a water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) project partnership with UNICEF.
USAID Haiti has a longstanding partnership with the St. Luke’s Medical Mission. In 2010, USAID supported hospital construction of structures to house their cholera treatment activities; these are currently still in use.
Four deaths and approximately 3,500 families stricken
4 deaths, approximately 3,500 families stricken, and countless damaged houses - that is the assessment drawn up by Civilian Protection following the latest rains that have come down on the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince recently.
Forum of French-Haitian businesses
Last Thursday, the French Ambassador in Haiti, Elisabeth Beton Delegue, was in Santo-Domingo where she held a joint meeting of the Franco-Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CFHCI) and the Dominican Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFD). The French Ambassador in Santo Domingo was also in attendance. The Objective of this meeting was to promote the French-Haitian Business Forum, which will take place in Port-au-Prince on June 24th and 25th.
Haiti Dominican Republic: intensification of repatriations at the border towns of Carisal / Elias Piña
The operations of Haitian repatriations have intensified in the last few days to Belladère. A total of 1,854 Haitians were repatriated at the border towns of Carisal / Elias Piña from April 1st to April 27th, 2017. A total of 736 of them were welcomed by the services of the GARR in Belladère.
Out of those, key cases were recorded. One of those involved a young 19-year-old repatriate who received a gunshot from the weapon of a Dominican serviceman. He was detained for 25 days at the prison center of Haina, in San Cristóbal in the South of the Dominican Republic.
A native of Fonds-des-Nègres, John Kéry Paul lived approximately two years in the Dominican Republic. He worked for an electric company. He was intercepted on April 2nd, 2017 by Dominican servicemen while he was reporting to work early.
After arriving in Haina, which usually contains many Haitian migrants before they are deported, John denounced aloud the ill-treatment subjected to the Haitian nationals. Furious, the Dominican servicemen approached him and began to strike him in the back and in the stomach, and finally shot a rubber ball in the left foot, specifically in his ankle. In spite of all of this, the victim was imprisoned afterward.
After being released on April 27th, 2017, he was escorted the same day back to the border line of Carisal / Belladère together with a group of 57 repatriates.
According to the young repatriate, who is the father of a 12-month-old baby, the Dominican servicemen seized several bags belonging to the repatriates, including his, which contained his cell phone and clothes he had just purchased.
GARR pleads in favor of respecting the rights of the repatriated Haitians. It calls upon Haitian authorities to pursue the negotiations already begun with the bilateral Dominican State within the framework of the mixed bi-lateral Committee while giving priority to human rights violations subjected upon Haitian nationals on a daily basis.
Launch of the “Operation Hurricane” to fight insecurity
Recently during a press briefing, Lead Inspector Gary Desrosiers, Deputy Spokesman of the National police force of Haiti (PNH) gave some details about "Operation Hurricane" which was deployed recently with the objective of fighting crime and rendering bandits harmless.
This operation, which will last one month, will be spread into 3 departments: the West, the Artibonite and the North. It will mobilize more than 3,000 policemen (20 % of the national staff). The targeted zones of operation are markets, transportation stations, tourism sites, and parking lots.
For the western department, 200 agents from various specialized units of the PNH are going to be deployed in strategic places of the metropolitan region.
Gary Desrosiers underlined that "Operation Hurricane" also included securing the safety the President Moises’ travels.