Caribbean American Congresswoman Urges US President to Prioritize Haiti’s Needs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Caribbean American congresswoman Yvette Clarke, founding co-chair of the United States House of Representatives’ Caribbean and Haiti Caucuses, on Wednesday led a letter to US President Joseph Biden urging him to “prioritize the needs of Haiti and members of the Haitian Diaspora.”

Clarke – the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the largely Caribbean 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York – copied the letter to US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas.

The letter was also signed by House Haiti Caucus co-chairs Congressmembers Andy Levin, Val Demings, Ayanna Pressley and Mondaire Jones; House Caribbean Caucus co-chairs Congressmembers Maxine Waters and Stacy Plaskett); and Members of the House Haiti and Caribbean Caucus, congress members Frederica Wilson, Adriano Espaillat, Sheila Jackson Lee, Grace Meng, Darren Soto and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

“As founding co-chair of both the House Caribbean and Haiti Caucuses, I have worked closely with my colleagues to insist the administration prioritize the needs of Haiti and members of the Haitian Diaspora that [who] call America home,” wrote Clarke, who is also chair of the US Congressional Black Caucus Taskforce on Immigration.

“The signers of this letter come to D.C. with vastly different backgrounds and from all corners of our country. Yet, we have found common ground in our unwavering commitment to the Haitian people, their wellbeing and an immutable desire to see a thriving Haitian democracy,” added the senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

“Presently, Haiti is at an inflection point, and we must work together to promote peace and a Haitian-led democratic government,” the letter urged.

“This letter outlines our urgent concerns and shares our collective caucus priorities regarding Haiti’s continued deteriorating situation. Our duty as Members of Congress is to uplift and support Haiti, and advance policies that will promote relationships that substantively and meaningfully engage Haitian civil society in defense of Haiti’s democracy, civil rights, and liberty.”

The letter was dispatched as a number of Haitian American legislators and groups in New York last week called on the Biden administration to “create an easier pathway” for Haitians seeking political asylum.

In their correspondence, the elected officials, including New York State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, urged the administration to create this “easier pathway” by lifting the refugee admission ceiling, temporarily halting the deportation of Haitian migrants from the US, and providing the people of Haiti with humanitarian aid in the form of food assistance and additional COVID-19 vaccine doses.

“There is a crisis in Haiti that demands our immediate attention as Americans, and begs the continued action of your leadership,” said the letter, which was also signed by New York State Assembly members Michaelle Solages and Kimberly Jean-Pierre; New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis; and Democratic Party nominees for New York City Council Rita Joseph and Chi Osse.

“Haitian-Americans served en masse as health care workers and frontline essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now is the time to give back to our Haitian-American community. Now is the time to protect those who protected us, by ensuring that the relatives of Haitian-Americans living abroad, receive the humanitarian protections necessary to save their lives and livelihoods.

“The United States is a nation built by immigrants in pursuit of freedom, and the promise of a better life. Today, Americans have an opportunity to help the people of Haiti escape persecution. We ask that you employ the full powers of your office to raise the refugee admission ceiling from where it currently stands to help accommodate Haitian applicants; temporarily halt the deportation of Haitian migrants from the US; and supply the people of Haiti with humanitarian aid in the form of food assistance and additional COVID-19 doses,” the letter added.

A group of over 200 current and former Haitian American elected officials has also written to the Biden administration, requesting an “urgent” meeting to discuss US policy toward Haiti in the wake of the July 7 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

The Washington-based National Haitian-American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON), considered the largest network of Haitian-American elected and appointed officials in the US, has dispatched a letter to Blinken.

“We have been working to build a relationship with the Biden administration vis-a-vis its foreign policy towards Haiti,” said the letter, signed by NHAEON Chairperson Alix Desulme, a council member in North Miami, Florida.

“While we are pleased with President Biden’s extension of TPS (Temporary Protected Status), we grow weary and frustrated with the lack of communication of the ongoing instability in Haiti. NHAEON members are the elected representatives closest to the Haitian community and have a keen understanding of the dynamics in Haiti and its impact on our communities.

“We are ready to work with you to add value to the trajectory of US foreign policy towards Haiti,” the letter continued. “To this end, we are requesting immediate scheduling of a briefing with your office on the aforementioned issues.”

NHAEON said its members represent millions of constituents across the United States but primarily in Florida, New York and New Jersey.

It said its members are “dedicated to supporting domestic policies, legislation and issues affecting Haitians living in the United States.”

The Biden administration has reiterated its commitment to supporting the Haitian people following President Moïse’s assassination.

US Department of State spokesman Ned Price said Blinken reiterated the pledge in a telephone call with new Haitian Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry.

“The secretary also underscored the need for Prime Minister Henry’s unity government to seek broad political and civil society consensus on government priorities,” Price said.

“Secretary Blinken, echoing the international community, emphasized the importance of establishing the conditions necessary for Haitians to vote in free and fair legislative and presidential elections as soon as feasible,” he added.

The US welcomed efforts by Haiti’s political leadership to come together in choosing an interim prime minister and a unity cabinet to chart a path forward.

“The formation of this interim government is a positive and necessary step to respond to the Haitian people’s needs and begin restoring Haiti’s democratic institutions,” Blinken said.

“The United States, together with the international community, urges Haiti’s political and civil society leaders to continue to work together to advance a broad and inclusive dialogue that responds to the needs of the Haitian people, and lays the groundwork for long-term stability and prosperity.”

Blinken said the US remains committed to supporting the Haitian government’s investigation into the assassination of Moïse, expanding COVID-19 vaccination efforts, working with the Haitian National Police to promote security and the rule of law, and coordinating with the international community to establish the conditions necessary for Haitians to vote as soon as feasible.

“We call on all Haitians to work together to maintain peace and will continue to support the Haitian people, as they strive to build a stable, prosperous and democratic country,” Blinken said.

Just days before his assassination, Moïse had appointed Henry, a neurosurgeon, as his new prime minister.

Moïse was killed by a group of assassins, including a large number of Colombian mercenaries, in a daring raid on his private residence in the suburbs of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.

Haitian authorities have arrested 20 people, including two Haitian Americans residing in Miami, with the shocking murder.