Friend,

Today is Haitian Flag Day, commemorating May 18, 1803, when formerly enslaved people who fought for their freedom created a new flag to celebrate liberation.

As the first Black Republic and the only country formed by a revolution against slavery, Haiti has inspired other uprisings in the U.S. and around the world. Haitians living in and outside of Haiti celebrate this legacy today.

Unfortunately, colonizers such as the U.S. and France have pushed Haiti into economic and political crises. And now anti-Black racism is blocking Haitian refugees from seeking asylum in the U.S.

The Biden administration has deported at least 20,000 Haitian refugees—two-thirds of whom were forcibly removed under the anti-Black and Trump-era immigration policy known as Title 42.

Title 42 denies the rights of people fleeing for their lives to seek safety, immediately expelling asylum-seekers without any hearings. And it disproportionately affects Black refugees, including Haitians.

After tons of public pressure, including from me and my colleagues in Congress, President Biden planned to end Title 42 next week—but he’s been blocked by a Trump-appointed judge.

Congress must now act to end Title 42. Right now, however, Republicans and some Democrats are using racist and xenophobic arguments to try to extend Title 42. It’s outrageous. They’ll only do the right thing in response to massive grassroots pressure.

Sign now to demand Congress immediately end the cruel, inhumane, anti-Black, Trump-era policy known as Title 42.

The American people voted out Trump, partly to end his administration’s horrific immigration policies. The ongoing weaponization of his administration’s Title 42—and its potential extension—subverts the will of voters.

It’s clear that our country has the resources and the duty to take in asylum-seekers, just as we have with around 15,000 Ukrainian refugees in the past few months. However, Ukrainian refugees are white, while Haitian refugees are Black.

Everyone fleeing danger has the right to seek safety. We must affirm that fundamental, internationally-recognized human right to asylum—no matter the color of people’s skin, no matter where they’re coming from.

Because of Title 42, thousands of Haitian asylum-seekers have been trapped in Mexico for over two years, waiting for the chance to seek protection in the U.S.

There, Haitians and other Black migrants have been unable to access basic services and have been particularly targeted for violent attacks, kidnapping, and exploitation. A recent report surveyed Haitians stranded in Mexico, who said they don’t go out at night due to fear.

Please sign now to demand that Congress end the racist and cruel Trump-era Title 42.

In solidarity,

Rashida