Since the launch of the “humanitarian parole” visa program on January 6, 2023 by U.S. President Joe Biden, hundreds of thousands of Haitians, including professionals, have left Haiti in search of a better life in the United States.
Wanting to escape the misery, insecurity and unemployment that are rampant in Haiti, the “humanitarian parole” program is like a drop in the desert for many Haitians.
A significant number of these migrants, who arrived legally in the USA under the “Humanitarian Parole” program, have received support from several organizations, including the Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI-USA), based in Massachusetts.
In an interview with Caribbean Television Network (CTN), two of the beneficiaries of the “humanitarian parole” program told us about the situation in Haiti before their arrival in the United States, but also about their integration into American society as beneficiaries of the program commonly known as the Biden Program.
Mackendy Saint Rose, a young plumbing professional, entered the United States under this program. For him, it’s the realization of a dream.
“I entered the United States on January 7, 2024. I settled in the state of Massachusetts, particularly in Boston. My aunt had been filling out the application for me since May 2023. We are 6 people members of one family who benefited from the program.”
Unlike some of the other Haitian migrants who arrived with their host families, Mackendy Saint Rose says he is “very satisfied with the welcome offered to me by my aunt’s family and the members of the Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI-USA) team.
Given that this is a Haitian community, things are going rather well as far as my integration is concerned.”
This young professional, who is delighted to have left the insecurity of Haiti, says he arrived on Uncle Sam’s soil with a single objective: to work to give himself a better life.
“In the United States to make my dreams come true.”
“I’m a plumber. I came to the United States to work. We left the country because of the bad situations. Unemployment and insecurity lurk everywhere. I used to live in the commune of Tabarre, north of the capital Port-au-Prince. Imagine, back home, I wake up every day to the crackle of gunfire. It’s not a good situation. Every day, people leave their homes because of gang violence. It’s a frustrating and unbearable situation.”
“I came here in search of a better life. Within two years, I hope to find the economic and financial stability to function normally in American society. My dream is to work to bring back my wife and child left behind in Haiti. Once I arrive in the country, I’m a bit calmer, even though my family still lives in Haiti.”
As for his integration, this young father, looking optimistic, says he wants to take the time needed to integrate better, first by learning the English language and familiarizing himself with the workings of the American system, always with big ambitions.
“It was a dream to come here to the United States. I’m a professional. I have the energy to work and I came to work and fill my financial gaps. Take care of my family, get a house and a car. Let’s say, everything that’s good for a decent life. Haiti is always in the back of my mind. I’m a Haitian. It’s my country,” he says proudly. “But to go back, I’d like things to change. I’d like there to be a good climate of security,” he hopes.
The situation is much the same for Chenley Joseph, originally from the town of Gonaïves in the Artibonite department.
Married, Chenley Joseph is the father of a 12-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl. He says he left the country because of social, economic and political problems, and the terror of the gangs that are creating unbearable insecurity in the country.
“I’m a teacher, I’m also a professional tiler. But because of the situation prevailing in the country, I’ve had quite a few difficulties in providing for my family. I’m a man with the energy to work. But insecurity prevents me from working. As a beneficiary of the Biden program, I’m here in the United States thanks to my aunt who enrolled me in the program on February 2, 2023.”
Arriving in the United States in January 2024, almost a year after his aunt had enrolled him in the program, Chenley Joseph took the time to tell us about his journey.
“To get to the United States, I went through Cap-Haitien. I took this route because I wanted to avoid the perilous road leading to Port-au-Prince, knowing that several axes along this stretch are occupied by armed gangs who kill, kidnap and rape people with impunity. I have to tell you that on the very day of my trip, several people were kidnapped from a minibus in Morne à Cabris. Fortunately, I had the intelligence and foresight not to go down those roads,” he says.
“Integration in the United States isn’t easy, but you adapt.”
“The first thing I plan to do here is master the English language. I already have a certain level, but I plan to improve. On that note, I have to thank the people at the Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI-USA), who are helping me in so many ways,” said Chenley Joseph, looking grateful.
“I have to say that the people here are very nice. They help us adapt better. I come here every Friday afternoon, because I think it can help me integrate more into American society.”
“But I must also tell you that living in one country and having your family in another is not easy. I’m an educator, I know a father’s responsibility to his children. It would have been great if my wife and children were by my side. Since this is a program that offers an opportunity for two years, I’m hoping to get my work permit so I can function fully. I came here to work and look after my family”, he confides, adding that his wife and children are not enrolled in the program.
According to data released at the end of January 2024 by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), more than 356,000 people (Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans) have already arrived in the U.S. under the humanitarian conditional stay program (“Humanitarian Parole”).
This figure breaks down as follows for people who had already arrived in the USA up to January: 138,000 Haitians, 86,000 Venezuelans, 74,000 Cubans, 58,000 Nicaraguans.