Dear Secretary Napolitano,
We, the undersigned New York City Council Members, respectfully urge you not to resume removals to Haiti before the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti in July 2011. New York City has one of the largest populations of Haitians outside of Haiti, and many of these nationals are long-time residents who have established lives here. Many either help support family members who are U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents or are supported by them. Given the difficult situation in Haiti, we encourage you to halt all removals to Haiti.
One year since the earthquake, the Haitian people are still suffering a series of social and political crises. Individuals removed to Haiti face a range of public health issues, including lack of access to clean drinking water and food as well as an inadequate public sanitation. These factors have already contributed to a deadly cholera epidemic. More than a million Haitians currently live in tents or other makeshift housing due, in part, to the fact that a mere 5% of the buildings have been reconstructed. In addition, Haiti is suffering from much higher levels of violent crime and overwhelmed police and security forces. Compounding these problems is the civil strife since the November 2010 elections. Resuming removals would only serve to hinder Haiti?s recovery efforts and expose removed individuals to an unreasonably high risk of harm.
The Department of State has recognized the dire nature of the circumstances in Haiti and advised U.S. citizens to avoid all nonessential travel to Haiti. This advisory was meant to protect U.S citizens and also to prevent the overburdening of recovery efforts that additional people needing shelter, food, and assistance would cause.
Through TPS, asylum, and other programs, the United States has expressly committed to protecting individuals facing removal from intolerable conditions. Further, both President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have publicly declared our steadfast support for Haiti and its people. President Obama has been clear that Haiti ?will not be forsaken? while Secretary Clinton has called upon the world to ?rededicate ourselves to partnering with the people of Haiti in their pursuit to build back anew.?
One year after Haiti?s devastating earthquake, we urge you to consider the severe conditions on the ground in Haiti. Removing Haitians at this time would not only put those removed at risk but also hamper efforts of Haitians to rebuild their country, homes, and lives.
Sincerely,
Daniel Dromm, Chair, Immigration Committee, 25th Council District; Mathieu Eugene, 40th Council District; Jumaane Williams, 45th Council District; Annabel Palma, 18th Council District; Larry B. Seabrook, 12th Council District; G. Oliver Koppell, 11th Council District.