Thursday, October 13, 2016





As previously discussed on the ImmigrationProf blog, the U.S. government had been taking a tougher enforcement stand as Haitians have been seeking to come to the United States in increasing numbers. Yesterday, however, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it will suspend deportations to Haiti in light of the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew. For analysis of the DHS announcement, click here.

Read the Black Alliance for Just Immigration's statement on the DHS announcement about the suspensions of deportations. On Tuesday October 18th, BAJI will hold a national conference call regarding this announcement.

Here is the BAJI statement:

“We are glad that the Administration has acknowledged the conditions in Haiti and halted deportations again. But the announcement by DHS indicates only a temporary change in policy. What Haiti needs is a long-term commitment to its recovery, especially now. Immigration policy needs to be considered part of the solution,” says BAJI Executive Director and Black Lives Matter co-founder Opal Tometi.

According to a report by BAJI and New York University School of Law’s Immigrant Rights Clinic, released last month, Black immigrants – especially those originating from the Caribbean – are detained and deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a rate disproportionate to their population in the U.S.

“This discriminatory practice of harsh, racially biased and anti-Haitian enforcement must end.” says Carl Lipscombe, BAJI Programs Manager.

In addition to gathering nearly 200 organizational endorsements on a petition calling on DHS to reverse its decision to resume deportations to Haiti, BAJI and allies have convened to identify strategies for meeting the immediate needs of Haitian migrants who made the long, arduous, journey to the U.S through South and Central America since the spring. These needs includes shelter, food, financial resources, and legal representation. With this reverse in policy, BAJI will continue to coordinate efforts to ensure that these migrants are treated with dignity and respect, including the release of those who were detained during the policy shift."

KJ

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2016/10/black-leaders-in-immigrant-rights-respond-to-department-of-homeland-security-announcement-to-tempora.html