New York State – Recently, the Haitian-American Legislative Caucus of the New York State Assembly, comprised of Assemblymembers Rodneyse Bichotte, Michaelle Solages, Kimberly Jean-Pierre, and Clyde Vanel, met with Senate Minority Leader, Senator Charles Schumer to discuss the resurrection and continuance of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians as part of the immigration deal along with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Upsetting but not shocking, yesterday on Easter, also known as "Resurrection Day" to many, it was reported in the New York Times that after minutes of wishing the nation a Happy Easter, President Trump vowed "NO MORE DACA DEAL!"[1]

"We cannot allow injustices to humanity to continually plague this country," said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte, who represents the largest population of Haitian descendants in New York State. "It is not only unconscionable but it is inhumane and these programs must be resurrected now."

A lobby day to Washington, D.C. is being spearheaded by the New York State Haitian-American Legislative Caucus this year. More information on lobby day will come in the near future.

Also on April 20th, 2018 marks the 28th Anniversary of the historical march of 1990 over the Brooklyn Bridge. The original march brought awareness about how the American Red Cross and Food Drug Administration (FDA) defamed Haitians by stating that being Haitian was a risk factor for HIV/AIDS. Another historic march over the Brooklyn Bridge to take place on that day is being organized by the Haitian-American community to make a statement to the Trump administration demanding Immigration reform and restoration of TPS and DACA as well as an apology from President Trump for his litany of insulting remarks about the country of Haiti.

"It was great to meet with Senate Minority Leader, Senator Charles Schumer to discuss an issue of the upmost importance to the Haitian community," said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte. "Because it is no longer in the headlines, the issue of TPS and DACA may seem like they are a done deal in the minds of many Americans. However, for many of our constituents it is ever present and we will do everything in our power to come up with a viable solution."

Although, there have been rallies and marches opposing the decision not to renew TPS and DACA, the fact remains that 60,000 Haitians will still have to leave the United States by July, 2019, unless the current administration has a change of heart. In addition, several lawsuits have been filed against the Trump administration and are moving through the courts, such as those filed by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice[2], but the public outcry around the experience for Black immigrants has largely been missing from the national debate. Therefore, it is even more critical that Haitian-American elected officials continue to have TPS and DACA as one of their core issues.

For more on this issue, please read this article by Vania Andre for the Haitian Times.

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[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/01/us/politics/trump-immigration-daca.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur

[2] http://www.naacp.org/latest/new-lawsuit-filed-u-s-department-homeland-security-response-removal-temporary-protective-status-haitian-immigrants/