Home  News Regional News Haiti President calls for end to deportations
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Haiti President calls for end to deportations |
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Sunday, 12 October 2008 |
Haitian President René Préval on Friday reiterated his fervent appeal to United States President George W. Bush to grant temporary protected status (TPS) to Haitians living illegally in the US.
Préval’s call came at a time when the French-speaking Caribbean country faces a massive task to rebuild in the aftermath of a series of deadly storms, which killed nearly 800 people and also destroyed homes, crops and infrastructure. It also came against the backdrop of a recent decision by US immigration officials to temporarily halt the deportation of Haitians.
Préval cautioned against a resumption of deportations because of the economic challenges faced by Port-au-Prince.
''This is a chance for the US administration to put in place for Haitians, the temporary protected status that has already been granted to other countries in the region,'' Préval told the Americas Conference in nearby Coral Gables.
Préval said while he had personally told Bush about his deep concerns, he will again write him on the matter next week.
Two Florida Democratic congressmen have been pushing the Bush administration to permanently cease deportation of Haitians because of the hardship being experienced in the impoverished country.
Kendrick Meek and Alcee L. Hastings, strong Haitian advocates, have assailed the administration’s policy on Haiti, stating that Haitians have, for too long, been victimized by Washington’s “double standard” immigration policies.
Meek, who two weeks ago lead a delegation of US legislators on a fact-finding mission to Haiti, said it was unconscionable that the White House had continued to deport Haitians while the country suffers.
''It's gone far beyond reason for the administration not to give Haiti some relief,'' he said.
Meek, who represents Miami, said Haiti ''over-qualifies'' for TPS, bestowed when the US government determines eligible nationals are temporarily unable to safely return to their home country because of ongoing conflicts, environmental disasters or other “extraordinary and temporary conditions''.
''It is really cruel for the United States to do this, especially now under these circumstances,'' he said.
Hastings, who represents the city of Miramar, outside Miami, said, in his letter to Bush, that Haiti can “hardly sustain the lives of those currently living within its borders.”
“How can we also expect it to contend with the repatriation of the very people who left Haiti in desperation and who, through remittances, can aide in the nation's recovery efforts?” he queried, adding that “now, more than ever, Haiti continues to meet all of the requirements for TPS".
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