Refugee Congress Calls on the Biden Administration to Stop Deportations to Haiti
Refugee Congress Calls on the Biden Administration to Stop Deportations to Haiti
For Immediate Release: September 21, 2021
WASHINGTON--Refugee Congress is deeply concerned about the deportation of people from Haiti who are seeking refuge and is outraged by images of border agents on horseback cruelly chasing Haitian migrants.
We call on the Biden administration to stop deportation flights to Haiti and to investigate and put an end to the violent treatment of Haitians seeking asylum, as was seen in recent images from Texas.
“The expulsion of Haitian asylum-seekers is heartbreaking, disturbing and a return to the immoral leadership we experienced in the past four years,” said Dauda Sesay, Vice Chair of the Refugee Congress Board of Directors and Honorary Delegate for Louisiana. “President Biden promised to restore our nation’s commitment to welcome and protect individuals and families seeking refuge. I urge President Biden to keep his promise, quickly stop the inhumane expulsion of Haitians, and restore compassion and dignity to the asylum program.”
Haitian families are seeking safety and refuge following political unrest and devastating earthquakes. The recent earthquake resulted in the deaths of more than 2,200 people, injured 12,000, damaged or destroyed 120,000 homes and displaced hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti.
“Stop the deportation now,” said Lubab Al-Quraishi, Refugee Congress Delegate for New Jersey. “Haitians deserve a better life.”
The Biden administration has responded by expelling vulnerable Haitians under the Title 42 policy, without offering them legal protection and the opportunity to file for asylum. Instead of offering support and refuge for people fleeing ongoing political and environmental disasters, Secretary Mayorkas declared that “our borders are not open,” leaving countless vulnerable individuals at risk.
“The deportation of individuals who are from Haiti is heartbreaking to watch, and reminiscent of the cruel and illegal policies of the previous administration. It is unacceptable, and we implore the Biden administration to halt Title 42 expulsions immediately and keep its earlier promise to restore protection pathways to the U.S.,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director of Refugee Congress.
The Biden administration has a legal and moral obligation to allow those who are seeking refuge the right to claim asylum. As an organization built and led by former refugees, asylees and other vulnerable migrants, Refugee Congress knows firsthand the importance of a humane protection systems and policies that provide safety and welcome for those fleeing unsafe conditions.
We believe everyone has the right to protection from persecution. It is vital that our nation embraces its long tradition of protecting refugees and asylum-seekers fleeing unsafe conditions, and it is critical that the Biden administration upholds its promise to restore welcome.
“For many of us, watching the violent treatment of Haitians migrants as border agents chase them with whips on horseback is a reminder of the racist and discriminatory policies rooted in white supremacy that this nation continues to uphold and practice,” said Dagemawit Kebede, Refugee Congress Advocacy and Communications Associate. “Haitian families seeking safety and refuge have a right to seek asylum and do so without being a target to violent and inhumane practices. We must stand alongside our Haitian brothers and sisters and call on the Biden administration to stop the inhumane expulsion and move towards welcoming with dignity.”
Join the Welcome With Dignity campaign’s week of action to call on the Biden administration to stop mass expulsions of Haitian asylum-seekers and other expulsions happening under the Title 42 policy. The Haitian Bridge Alliance, Inc., is an organization on the ground in Del Rio helping Haitian asylum-seekers. Use this toolkit to support efforts to #WelcomeWithDignity.
###
Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.
MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org
