Today Reps. Andy Levin (MI-09), Val Demings (FL-10), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) released the following statement marking one year since the formation of the House Haiti Caucus:
“The House Haiti Caucus was formed to unite our individual efforts into collective action in Congress on behalf of the freedom and well-being of the Haitian people and diaspora. In the face of mounting security, economic, and political challenges in Haiti, we recommit ourselves to improving U.S.-Haiti policy and remain steadfast in our resolve to improve the difficult situation in the small island nation.
“Over the past year, we have laid out our agenda, closely monitored efforts to restore democracy in Haiti, led efforts to send COVID-19 vaccines to Haiti, and called for stability, security and democracy following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, including a transparent, independent investigation into that act. We held events to elevate the voices of the Haitian community, worked to ensure the safety of kidnapped missionaries, successfully called for redesignation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and a renewal of the lapsed Haitian Family Reunification Parole (HFRP) program, and called for an immediate halt to deportations of Haitian asylum seekers which have contributed to a worsening crisis. We have tirelessly pushed for real change in U.S.-Haiti policy, from encouraging the Biden-Harris administration to withdraw support for de facto ruler Ariel Henry, to collectively supporting constructive paths towards a democratically elected government in Haiti, backed by the Haitian people.
“As we move ahead into our second year, we will continue to prioritize the health and safety of the Haitian people, including efforts to fight COVID-19 and gang violence, restore opportunity, work to end chronic shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, and ensure that conditions are stable enough for a real democratic resurgence. We chose Haitian Flag Day when we formed our caucus because we believe that freedom and self-determination are the bedrock of Haiti. As we look to the future, we remain unified on one mission: work to usher in Haitian-led movements to restore peace, safety, stability, freedom, human rights, and democracy in Haiti, once and for all.”
Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/levin-demings-clarke-and-pressley-mark-one-year-house-haiti-caucus
