Democrats in US House of Representatives Introduce Legislation Condemning Anti-Haitian Bigotry

WASHINGTON, DC – Democratic Congresswoman, Yvette D. Clarke, has joined  lawmakers in introducing legislation in the House of Representatives condemning “the racism and bigotry Haitian immigrant communities have faced” following remarks made by the former president Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance in the campaign for the November 4 presidential elections in the United States.

“At a time when the Haitian people are suffering through a series of devastating, catastrophic crises, it is utterly contemptible that America’s most powerful would capitalize on the pain of those seeking safety in this country to amplify their anti-immigrant rhetoric,” said Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the predominantly Caribbean 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York.

“From Springfield, Ohio, to New York’s 9th District, to every corner of this nation where Haitian immigrants reside, these dangerous, disproven lies have brought real harm to those only seeking better lives for themselves and their families.

“The extreme forces spreading this disinformation demand more than our universal condemnation, but a moral and humanitarian promise that we will not abandon our Haitian American neighbors to their cruelty.”

Clarke said that she is proud to stand alongside her colleagues and many like-minded allies to reject the hatred of powerful politicians, billionaires, and extreme activists.

“Make no mistake, we will always rise to protect the right of immigrants to this nation to find their own American Dream”.

Haiti Democratic Caucus co-chairs Congressional Representatives Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Maxwell Frost of Florida, have also joined in the condemnation.

“The flagrant lies about the Haitian community perpetuated and amplified by Trump and Vance are disgraceful, dehumanizing and outright dangerous, and we must call them out,” Pressley said, adding “as congresswoman for the third largest Haitian Diaspora community in the country, I want our Haitian neighbours to know that we see them, and we stand with them.

“I was proud to join my Haiti Caucus colleagues to condemn this hate and unveil a resolution to celebrate and affirm the dignity, humanity and contributions of our Haitian families. Congressional intent is powerful and Congress must pass it without delay.”

Frost said “the baseless and racist attacks against innocent Haitian migrants and Haitian Americans cannot go unchecked”.

He said these are lies that only seek to hurt Haitian people and help MAGA extremists divide the country so they can win an election.

“I am proud to introduce this resolution alongside Reps Clarke, Pressley and Cherfilus-McCormick to forcefully condemn these attacks and send a clear message that this rhetoric is disgusting, hateful, and wrong.

“The Haitian community is beautiful, diverse and an important part of the fabric of our country. Every single member of Congress regardless of party should be able to stand firmly in support of our resolution to condemn any and all hate against the Haitian community.”

Cherfilus-McCormick noted that immigrants, including Haitians, came to the United States in pursuit of the American dream.”

The senior policy advisor for the Haitian-American Foundation for Democracy, Jocelyn McCalla, said that the campaign to denigrate Haitians as unfit to be in America is “a campaign against all immigrants, against decency and against persons of good will who wish to live peacefully in a diverse and culturally rich America.

“The hate-mongering has no other purpose than to divide and conquer by scaring people away from the voting booth,” she said, adding “we won’t be deterred”.

Last week, the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON), said the recent threats against Haitians in Springfield highlight “a disturbing trend toward division rather than unity.

Trump and Vance have been doubling-down on false rumors about Haitian immigrants in Springfield eating the pets of their neighbors.