For Immediate Release
September 22, 2021
Contact: Lorena Bourdevaire
213-341-0478; lbcasillas@immdef.org
Immigrant Defenders Law Center Urges Members of Congress to Publicly Call on the Biden Administration to End Title 42 Expulsion Flights to Haiti and Investigate Mistreatment of Haitian and Black Asylum Seekers
LOS ANGELES: Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) joins Haitian Bridge Alliance and numerous other immigrant legal service providers and immigrant advocacy organizations in urging members of Congress to demand the Biden administration end Title 42 expulsions to Haiti and denounce and investigate the violent racist attacks on Haitian and other Black migrants at the Del Rio/Ciudad Acuña border migrant camp.
The reprehensible treatment of Haitian migrants in our immigration system was shown once again with the administration’s decision to increase expulsions during a time where Haiti is at peak political crisis after President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination and reeling from a 7.2 earthquake that left over 2,000 people dead on August 14, 2021. These expulsions lead to death for many Haitians who fled Haiti to save their lives. Title 42 is illegal, and these expulsions must end. Following Del Rio’s CBP officer’s racist attack on the migrant camp using horses and their reins to physical harm, intimidate, and force migrants deep into the river, the administration must move to publicly denounce and investigate these actions.
“The inhumane brutality exercised at the southern border by CBP officials using horses and reins to attack and terrorize Haitian migrants brings to light the xenophobic and white supremacist foundations of our immigration system. An investigation must take place immediately to hold those involved accountable. The administration must look long and hard at these images and recommit to a complete rehaul of our asylum system starting with ending Title 42, immediate suspension of deportation flights to Haiti, and increased parole for Haitian migrants. DHS must address the appallingly toxic culture of CBP. By ignoring the demands of Haitian-led organizations like Haitian Bridge, the administration is choosing to perpetuate anti-blackness. We will not stand idly by and allow this to happen to our Haitian community.” - Joyce Noche, Legal Services Director, Immigrant Defenders Law Center
ImmDef urges Congress to demand the administration take the following actions to restore our legal and moral obligations to asylum seekers and end institutional anti-blackness and mistreatment of Haitian migrants:
Immediately terminate Title 42 and accompanying Title 42 expulsions to Haiti.
Fully investigate Customs and Border Patrol and hold them accountable for violent and racist treatment of Haitian migrants at the Del Rio/Ciudad Acuña border migrant camp.
Grant humanitarian parole to Haitians seeking protections and allow them to be transferred to safer conditions free from detention and CBP holding cells.
Provide humanitarian assistance to Haitian and African migrants in Del Rio.
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Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) is a next-generation social justice law firm that defends our immigrant communities against injustices in the legal system. We envision a future where no immigrant will be forced to face immigration court alone. Our programs are a first step towards the long-term goal of providing universal representation to all immigrants facing deportation. ImmDef is now the largest non‐profit, pro bono provider of deportation defense in California with offices in Los Angeles, Adelanto, Riverside, Santa Ana, and San Diego.