In the wake of Donald Trump revoking Temporary Protected Status (TPS), immigrant communities are banding together to forge ahead. Among the groups impacted, Haitians are some of the most vulnerable, especially in South Florida. There are “an estimated 500,00 Haitians with TPS” and over 100,00 of them call Miami “home.” TPS has been assisting Haitians after the onslaught of devastating hurricanes that hit the island.
Advocate and organizer Christine Sanon-Jules Olivo posted a flyer on Instagram on June 28th promoting an emergency town hall, organized by Haitian community leaders, like Sandra Cherfrere and Naomi Blemur set for the following day at Katz Restaurant and Lounge. The event promised “legal insight, next steps for affected individuals, a unified plan of action, and a safe space” for the Haitian community to be heard.
Trump wants Haitians with TPS to leave the United States by September 2nd, which means anxiety is high as the future is unclear. One community leader said to WPLG Local 10 that the “the worst case scenario is that they’re going to detain folks. Families are going to be separated. But that’s part of why we’re here, to figure out what it is that we can do.”
After the Emergency Town Hall Meeting, a follow up meeting was organized by Haitian Advocates at Kasa Champet Restaurant and Lounge. With so much changing so quickly, resources to legal defense and mental health support are essential and are amongst a host of other topics and resources provided at the event on July 3rd at 5:30 PM.
Many community leaders are speaking up in support of Haitian immigrants as the community grapples with the weight of the new legislation.The National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON) hosted a press conference Monday, June 30th, with Vice Mayor of North Miami Kassandra Timothe, Miami-Dade Commissioner Marleine Bastien, State Senator Shevrin Jones, and North Miami Councilwoman Mary Estime-Irvin who said the ruling is “just outright unjust.”
Sen. Jones took to Facebook after the conference to remind everyone that Haitians “are not the ‘criminals’ they claim to be targeting” and instead they “are working parents. Students. Churchgoers. Caregivers.” They have “built their lives here after disasters back home” which they are still recovering from despite a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security stating that “the environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home.”
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