For Immediate Release
February 1, 2021
Contact: Lala Kumakura, FBT@berlinrosen.com
San Diego, California -- On this first day of Black History Month, as the nation pays tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled and continue to struggle through anti-Black structural racism, discrimination and violence, an ICE deportation flight took off this morning to Haiti. This deportation, which follows a deportation January 28 to Jamaica, represents the latest in a long history of intentional abuses by immigration authorities against Black women, children and families who seek safety and security in the United States.
Under the Trump Administration, deportation flights soared in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, despite numerous reports that deportations put deported individuals at great risk of contracting the virus, as well as exported the virus to deporting countries who often lacked health and other infrastructure to deal with infection being carried on deportation flights. Moreover, “Title 42” (of the U.S. Code) expulsions have resulted in a complete border shut down under the pretext of public health, and denied most of the over 380,000 immigrants expelled under Title 42 in 2020 their right to state claim of fear of persecution or torture.
Despite having a new administration, ICE continues to take advantage of the court-ordered temporary stay in President Joe Biden’s deportation moratorium, which a Texas judge extended on January 29 for an additional 14 days, until February 23.
Guerline Jozef, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, released the following statement in response:
“This immigration deportation system is cruel and inhumane. It’s callous but not surprising that ICE kicked off Black History Month today by deporting Black immigrants, inflicting pain and trauma on Black families seeking safety. Deportation flights to Haiti in the midst of a global pandemic and a major uprising in the country that harks back to the fall of the Duvalier regime in 1986 are unconscionable. It is also irresponsible for the Haitian government to agree to receive deportees given the political turmoil, and shows a disregard for the well-being of our brothers and sisters who will face severe hardship or even death upon return.
This deportation today to Haiti is not surprising; Haitians have historically been denied access to the United States, and continue to be disproportionately denied such access, despite conditions that clearly entitle them to refuge under the law. In fact the immigration prison system as we know it today was started in the early 1980s in response to the thousands of Haitian migrants fleeing the Duvalier dictatorship. Fast forward to 2016, in response to thousands of Haitian migrants trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, they started the metering policy, which summarily turned back asylum seekers and refugees at the border before they were given a meaningful opportunity to plead their legal case for entry.
As the Biden-Harris Administration considers comprehensive immigration reform, they must face and address the ugly prejudices woven into the U.S. immigration system, particularly against Haitian and other Black immigrants.”
Patrice Lawrence, Co-Director of UndocuBlack Network stated:
“ The audacity to practice such cruelty on the first day of Black History Month, exemplifies the anti-Black sentiment that has always existed within the ranks of ICE officials. ICE jumped at the opportunity to deport Black immigrants to the Carribean, Central Central America and Sub-Saharan countries almost immediately after the issuance of the unjust, baseless, and legally unsound TRO on the 100-Day Deportation Moratorium. We know that at the top of the list, individuals from Cameroon, Mauritania, Angola, Congo, Haiti and Jamaica are immediately at risk.
However, what is unnerving is the deafening silence emanating from the White House. As the rogue agencies under DHS continue to defy the mandate of the new administration, the Biden-Harris Administration remains silent. As we wake up in fear of the fate of members of our communities every morning, the Biden- Harris Administration remains silent. As we shudder at the thought that it could be any of us on those dark, early morning flights, bound for harm's way, the Biden-Harris Administration remains silent.
We demand that the BIden-Harris Administration speak up, admit fault and correct this injustice. Here are the demands, which are not exhaustive:
End deportation flights
Empty all detention centers, by releasing individuals into the community.
Allow all pending claims before federal courts to be fully adjudicated and ensure that the members of our communities are afforded their due process rights, instead of forcing them to sign deportation papers.
Announce extension of Temporary Protected Status for all relevant countries and ensure to include Mauritania and Cameroon, in the interim Deferred Enforced Departure for Mauritania and Cameroon.
Ensure that all those who’ve been unjustly deported have a right to return to the U.S. without and loopholes or roadblocks.
The clock is ticking and as we continue to fight for policies that do not provide loopholes to harm our communities, we will not forget this attack on our communities and all who were complicit.”
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Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) is a nonprofit community organization that advocates for fair and humane immigration policies and provides migrants with humanitarian, legal, and social services, with a particular focus on Black migrants, the Haitian community, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of torture and other human rights abuses. Since 2015, HBA has provided services to asylum seekers and other migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, in U.S. detention, and during U.S. immigration proceedings.
UndocuBlack Network is a multi-generational network of currently and formerly undocumented Black people that fosters community, facilitates access to resources, and contributes to transforming the realities of our communities, so that all people are thriving and living their fullest lives. www.undocublack.org
