John, Black immigrants need our help. And we can no longer allow them to be rendered invisible in our narratives about migration and racial justice.
Thousands of Haitian migrants -- many of whom have been on the frontlines during the pandemic as healthcare workers, caregivers, and farm workers1 -- are at risk of deportation unless the Biden administration redesignates Temporary Protection Status(TPS) for them immediately.
TPS is granted to communities when the U.S. government determines the political and socioeconomic conditions in a person’s home country pose life-threatening danger if one was to be deported.
The current situation in Haiti is currently so unstable, fragile and dangerous that even President Biden has acknowledged Haitians “may face harm” if they return home.2
John, it would be unconscionable and immoral to send Haitian immigrants back to Haiti right now. The Biden administration has the power to help protect Haitian immigrants already living in the U.S., but we need to move the administration to action.
In 2010, an earthquake in Haiti killed over 250,000 people. Later that year, United Nations peacekeeping soldiers, stationed in Haiti to aid with the aftermath, started a cholera outbreak that only further devastated the country’s fragile public health infrastructure.3
Haiti was first granted TPS following the earthquake, and many have been living, working and paying taxes in the U.S since. But the situation in Haiti has only worsened over the past few years.
In addition to climate crises, Haitians are currently living under an oppressive, U.S.-backed government led by an increasingly authoritarian president, Jovenel Moise, who has been ruling unconstitutionally for over a year.4
Despite worsening conditions, the Trump administration tried to end TPS for Haitians in 2017 after referring to Haiti, a majority Black nation, and several places in Africa as “shithole countries.”5 Two court injunctions blocked Trump from ending TPS, calling his actions against Haitians racist. But we still need President Biden to officially redesignate TPS status in order to protect all Haitians living in the U.S. from the threat of deportation.
The time has come for the Biden administration to keep its promises to the Haitian community,6 stand up against global anti-Black racism, and disavow Trump’s bigoted, racist and discriminatory policies against Black immigrants.
Rose - a Haitian family nurse practitioner who worked on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and herself tested positive for COVID-19 - told our partners at Haitian Bridge Alliance that for current TPS holders: “Fear and anxiety are always in the background...that I might suddenly have to leave my home. I’ve lived in the United States for 20 years, since I was 17 years old. TPS allowed me to get my undergraduate and Master’s degree in nursing.”
Rose and so many other Haitian TPS holders living in the U.S. have established lives here, and are integral members of our communities.
By deporting people like Rose to Haiti, the Biden administration sends the message that Black lives are less valued - even despite the role the U.S. has played in the destabilization of Haiti.7
This is why we’re asking the Biden Administration to redesignate Haiti for TPS immediately.
Join us in helping to protect Black asylum seekers today.
Until Justice is Real,
Scott, Rashad, Arisha, Malachi, Erika, Megan, Ernie, Palika, Madison, Ariel, Trevor, Ana, McKayla, and the rest of the Color Of Change team.
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REFERENCES:
1. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/303879?t=7&akid=50881%2E4731121%2E_h7eqr
2. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/303880?t=9&akid=50881%2E4731121%2E_h7eqr
3. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/303881?t=11&akid=50881%2E4731121%2E_h7eqr
4. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/298755?t=13&akid=50881%2E4731121%2E_h7eqr
5. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/303883?t=15&akid=50881%2E4731121%2E_h7eqr
6. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/298756?t=17&akid=50881%2E4731121%2E_h7eqr
7. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/304043?t=19&akid=50881%2E4731121%2E_h7eqr
Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please help keep our movement strong.
