Family Action Network Movement Strongly Condemns The Brutal Repression/Killings in Haiti And The Recent ICE Deportations
February 3, 2021
MIAMI, FL- Family Action Network Movement (FANM) strongly condemns the Biden administration's recent mass expulsions to Haiti. Despite the highly contagious nature of the COVID-19 virus and the serious violence and political instability there, the Department of Homeland Security continues to detain and deport immigrants. On Monday, February 1, 2021, ICE deported 102 refugees and immigrants to Haiti; all deportees were non-criminal and seventeen of them were children ages two and under. Another 64 were deported on Tuesday including a stateless man, Paul Pierrilus, who was not born in Haiti and has no family or ties there. 1,800 more immigrants are scheduled to be deported in the next two weeks.
FANM, community leaders, and immigration advocates will host a press conference via Zoom on February 4, 2021 at 1:30pm ET to address the ongoing crisis.
FANM Executive Director Marleine Bastien stated, “How can this be happening? There are evident double standards in our immigration system. The fight for equal treatment for Black and Brown refugees and immigrants is still occurring. Policies have to be implemented equally across the board regardless of their skin color. The US is obligated by international law to provide the basic rights of due process to all refugees who come to our shores/border if they prove a bona fide fear of prosecution regardless of countries of origin.”
FANM calls on DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to promptly return Mr. Pierrilus to the United States and to cancel these unconscionable expulsions, which violate President Biden's commitment to fairness and equity. These forced repatriations are inhumane, especially considering that the deportees have not been given the opportunity to apply for political asylum.
This is no way to begin or honor Black History Month and no time to deport to Haiti given a countrywide general strike, brutal government repression, skyrocketing kidnappings, and the pre-February 7th political crisis.
Steve Forester of IDJH said, “We urge the administration to immediately return Pierrilus and stop these inhumane and untimely planned expulsions, the vast majority including hundreds of infants and children without any asylum screening. This is inconsistent with the administration's commitment to exercise its discretion humanely, fairly, and equitably. President Biden must not start his term being the deporter-in-chief of Black and Brown immigrants.”
The Zoom link to join the press conference is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82435861550?pwd=RlhwKzJ0a3RJNlFHRjRxSEppWk1xdz09
Meeting ID: 824 3586 1550
Passcode: 241150
Family Action Network Movement (FANM) formerly known as Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami, Inc)/ Haitian Women of Miami is a private not-for-profit organization dedicated to the social, economic, financial and political empowerment of low to moderate-income families to give them the tools to transform their communities.
###
Commenti