The Haitian Caucus in the U.S. Congress believes it is time for the United States to change its policy toward Haiti. It urges President Joe Biden to refrain from supporting de facto Prime Minister Ariel Henri.
For the members of the caucus Ariel Henry has not demonstrated his ability to work for the improvement of the situation in Haiti. “We have tirelessly pushed for a real change in U.S. policy toward Haiti, encouraging the Biden-Harris administration to withdraw its support for de facto leader Ariel Henry, and collectively supporting constructive pathways to a democratically elected government in Haiti, supported by the Haitian people,” the caucus members wrote in a statement sent to ZoomHaitiNews on the occasion of its one-year anniversary this May 18.
The caucus also reiterated its commitment to continue working to improve the living conditions of Haitians both in Haiti and in the diaspora.
“In the face of growing security, economic and political challenges in Haiti, we recommit ourselves to improving U.S. policy toward Haiti and remain committed to improving the plight of this small island nation,” wrote Andy Levin (9th District Michigan), Yvette D. Clarke (9th District New York), Ayanna Pressley (7th District Massachusetts), and Val Demings (10th District Florida).
The members took the opportunity to review the caucus’ activities since its inception. Over the past year, we have set our agenda, monitored efforts to restore democracy in Haiti, led efforts to send COVID-19 vaccines to Haiti, and called for stability, security and democracy after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, including a transparent and independent investigation into the act,” they said, adding that “we have organized events and events to raise awareness of the importance of democracy in Haiti. . they had organized events to make the voice of the Haitian community heard…, worked to ensure the safety of kidnapped missionaries, successfully demanded the re-designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and the renewal of the lapsed Haitian Family Reunification Program (HFRP), and called for an immediate halt to the deportations of Haitian asylum seekers that have contributed to the crisis. ”
For the second year of the caucus’ existence, its co-founders intend to focus their efforts on “COVID-19 and gang violence, restoring opportunity, working to end chronic shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, and ensuring that conditions are stable enough for a true democratic resurgence.”
The Haitian Caucus was formed on May 18, 2021 at the initiative of Michigan’s Ninth District Congressman Andy Levin, who is one of the strongest advocates for Haitians in the U.S. Congress. Although he did not represent a district with a large Haitian community, the Harvard University law graduate has taken up the cause of Haiti. Fluent in Creole, he has made several trips to Haiti and wrote one of his master’s theses on Haiti.
The other members of the caucus represent ridings with a large Haitian community. These include Yvette D. Clarke who represents New York’s 9th Congressional District, Val Demings, Florida’s 11th Congressional District, and Ayanna Pressley, Massachusetts’ 7th Congressional District.