Amid continuous disparagement and fears of mass deportation of Haitians and different immigrants by President-Elect Donald J. Trumps, Haitians in New York normally stay steadfast in specializing in values that they are saying unite all People.
“As a proud Haitian-American and a agency believer within the energy of democracy, I acknowledge that elections mirror the desire of the folks and that, in a democracy, we generally expertise outcomes we could not have hoped for,” New York Metropolis Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, the Haitian-born consultant for the 46th Council District in Brooklyn, advised Caribbean Life on Monday.
“I’m actually disillusioned within the rhetoric that has, at instances, unfairly portrayed the Haitian-American group, together with deeply hurtful and baseless accusations,” she added. “Nevertheless, it’s essential that we glance ahead. We should keep in mind that democracy not solely permits us the liberty to decide on but additionally challenges us to work collectively, particularly in instances of division.
“I sincerely hope that we are able to put aside the adverse language and as an alternative deal with the values that unite us all as People: A dedication to progress, resilience and equality,” Narcisse continued. “Now’s a time to construct bridges, not partitions, and to deal with what we share as a group moderately than what separates us.
“Allow us to transfer ahead with respect, understanding and a renewed dedication to working towards a extra inclusive and united nation earlier than it’s too late,” the councilmember mentioned.
Brooklyn Democratic Social gathering Chair, New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, mentioned she was deeply disillusioned with the defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris, the daughter of retired Jamaican-born economist Dr. Donald Harris.
“Nevertheless, Brooklyn Democrats galvanized voters, turned out essentially the most votes of any borough of New York Metropolis, and New York State, and we’re decided to proceed that unity within the face of President-Elect Trump,” the consultant for the 42nd Meeting District in Brooklyn, advised Caribbean Life. “Democrats in Brooklyn are united in steadfast opposition to the insidious forces of the Trump administration’s excessive MAGA Republican ideologies that go towards our democratic beliefs.
“Trump retains spreading disgusting and blatantly racist faux ‘information’ attacking immigrants, notably Haitians, together with the blatantly false claims that they’re consuming and abducting pets,” Bichotte Hermelyn added. “The incoming Trump-Vance administration is repeatedly making an attempt to unfold hate and concern by particularly portray Haitians and different immigrants as harmful criminals with racist trope. We won’t permit these repugnant assaults, that are inflicting actual hazard and injury to law-abiding Haitians throughout the US, stand.”
She famous that Trump has additionally pledged to launch “the most important deportation within the historical past of our nation,” beginning with the Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, most of whom are there legally.
However Bichotte Hermelyn mentioned: “That is nonetheless the county of legislation and order, with checks and balances.
“And, as one of many largest Democratic organizations within the nation, the Brooklyn Democratic Social gathering embraces our borough’s splendidly numerous communities and stands in solidarity towards oppressive and unconstitutional racist immigration insurance policies,” she mentioned, stating that whereas Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance are “utilizing struggling immigrants as propaganda for racist rhetoric, our nation is aware of higher.
“Haitians fashioned the world’s first Free Black Republic, and their revolution led to the US’s enlargement,” Bichotte Hermelyn added. “They shed blood for our nation’s independence as troopers within the Battle of Savannah, whereas Jean Baptiste Level du Sable based Chicago, and, as we speak, Haitian immigrants function medical doctors, engineers and myriad roles, making America higher.
“We should, and can, hold America a beacon of freedom and hope,” she affirmed.
Elsie Saint Louis, chief govt officer of Haitian-People United for Progress, Inc. (HAUP), a nonprofit group with places of work in Brooklyn and Queens, famous that Trump promised to disrupt household life in the US by deporting swiftly as many as 20 million undocumented immigrants.
“It’s unlucky that this turned out (to be) the argument that gained him the favored and electoral vote,” she mentioned. “Whereas immigrants have each purpose to concern that the strong-armed measures could also be extraordinarily harsh, we urge them to not give in to panic.
“They need to search counseling and steerage from dependable group service suppliers which can be geared up to offer help,” St. Louis urged. “They need to not depend on rumour or third-party info with the intention to assess their choices.”
She mentioned HAUP – a multi-program group, offering help for people who’re searching for immigration, academic and well being companies, whereas additionally helping these with particular wants – “has been dedicated to serving to people and households improve their high quality of life.”
Saint Louis mentioned HAUP – which presents a free, full-day Pre-Ok program to youngsters who’re 4 years previous – have expanded through the years and presently supply a large number of companies all through your entire Tri-State are.
Haitian entertainer AniYa A., of The AniYa A. Present, a podcast in Manhattan, advised Caribbean Life: “Trump is a businessman, Amerikkka (her spelling) is an organization and, as a result of many prime leaders, in addition to dictators around the globe, concern his degree of madness, it was a enterprise transfer to place him again in (to re-elect him).”
However AniYa A. (her spelling and no final identify given) added: “Our largest enemies are ourselves. Our folks actually have failed us in some ways.
“Nevertheless, it additionally isn’t their fault, as we’ve been damaged so badly by the white man that we damage one another each day out of concern of being damage,” AniYa A continued. “We live lives as if we’re continually in survival mode as it’s in our DNA. However, as an alternative of working collectively with the intention to defeat our enemies, we’ve allowed our enemies to giggle at us, as they’ve bribed us with 30 items of silver to kill our leaders.”
Wesley Jean Simon, govt chef at Market Bar Bk, on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, additionally advised Caribbean Life: “We’re heartbroken by the devastating information of Donald Trump’s return to the presidency.
“His current statements, notably these focusing on Haitians, have had a profound and direct impression on our enterprise, our workers and the group we serve,” he mentioned. “Gross sales have dropped, not simply in response to political turmoil, however due to the actual concern and uncertainty which have gripped the hearts of so a lot of our mates, coworkers and neighbors.”
Jean Simon mentioned a lot of his workers, together with those that have simply celebrated their one-year milestone on this nation, are “now residing with the fixed fear of deportation and potential raids by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement company).
“These hardworking people got here right here searching for a greater life, and, for a lot of, that is the one dwelling they know,” he mentioned. “With the continuing battle in Haiti, the concept of returning isn’t just heartbreaking, it’s terrifying. For them, America isn’t just a workplace; it’s the place they’ve constructed their lives, their futures and their households.”
Jean Simon mentioned Market Bar Bk’s considerations “transcend the instant impression on gross sales.
“We’re deeply frightened about shedding a few of our greatest workers — people who find themselves irreplaceable and who’ve contributed immeasurably to our success,” he mentioned. “These should not simply staff; they’re members of our group, mates and other people we deeply care about. The concern they’re residing with is palpable, and it’s affecting all of us.
“What’s taking place right here isn’t just a enterprise problem; it’s a human problem,” Jean Simon added. “We stand with our Haitian workers, our Haitian enterprise homeowners, and all those that really feel the burden of discrimination and concern on this unsure political local weather.
“We’re dedicated to doing every thing in our energy to help our group, and make sure that our enterprise stays a spot of security, inclusion and respect for all folks, no matter their background or immigration standing,” he continued. “On this progressive metropolis, we needs to be a beacon of hope and acceptance—not a spot the place concern and division take maintain.
“The impression of those statements is being felt by many, and it’s as much as all of us — enterprise homeowners, leaders and group members—to come back collectively and supply help,” he mentioned. “We can not let this poisonous rhetoric tear aside the lives of those that have made this nation their dwelling.”
Jean Simon additional urged “everybody to face with us and with the hardworking people who find themselves a part of the material of this nation.
“Collectively, we are able to create a future the place concern not controls us, and the place the values of kindness, inclusion and mutual respect are the guiding forces in our enterprise and our group,” he mentioned.
Final Thursday night, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), an umbrella coverage and advocacy group that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights teams all through New York, led a rally in Foley Sq. in decrease Manhattan with member-organizations, allies and Caribbean and different immigrant New Yorkers in standing up for immigrants and combating again towards the approaching threats posed by a second Trump presidency and his proposed Venture 2025 agenda.
Murad Awawdeh, NYIC’s president and chief govt officer, advised Caribbean Life that Venture 2025 “seeks to create a nationwide deportation system that can have devastating penalties for a lot of weak communities.
“Donald Trump has explicitly threatened to deploy native legislation enforcement to deport all undocumented immigrants within the US – an estimated 11 million folks – together with round 4,500,000 folks residing in New York,” Awawdeh mentioned. “These insurance policies undermine the rights and dignity of immigrants but additionally goal to dismantle the rules of inclusion and justice that outline our nation.
“Mass deportations would price New York Metropolis alone billions of {dollars} in financial exercise, decreasing the workforce by tons of of hundreds of individuals and destroying numerous small companies,” he warned.
On the marketing campaign path, Trump and Vance had continually disparaged immigrants, notably Haitians residing in Springfield, Ohio.
Trump had steadily falsely claimed, even throughout his solely Presidential Debate with Harris, that Haitians had been consuming the canines and cats and different pets of their neighbors in Springfield. The mayor of Springfield and the governor of Ohio had repeatedly acknowledged that there was no proof to help Trump’s declare.
The US President-Elect additionally mentioned that deporting immigrants will probably be his prime precedence on Day One, when he assumes the presidency, on Inauguration Day, on Jan. 20, 2025.
“Trump’s victory gained’t cease our motion from standing as much as his racist and fascist agenda,” affirmed Awawdeh at Thursday night time’s rally. “New York wouldn’t be the identical with out the 4.5 million immigrants who’ve helped form our tradition and fueled our financial system for generations.
“Donald Trump has demonized our communities and promised to tear our households aside beginning on Day One, however we won’t be intimidated,” he added. “Trump has underestimated our power earlier than, and we are going to present him as soon as once more that we’re united and resilient.
“The work forward will probably be difficult,” Awawdeh famous. “However united, we are able to guarantee New York stays a beacon of hope for our immigrant neighbors and future generations. Collectively, we are going to hold combating for a future the place each New Yorker can thrive.”
Erik Crew, workers lawyer with the Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), often known as the Bridge, mentioned: “It’s unhappy to suppose that the folks of the US elected a candidate who demonized immigrants and Black folks in migration, who lied about Haitians in Springfield to inflame hatred and concern, and incite intimidation and violence; who promotes racist and xenophobic narratives; who’s keen to place a complete city in a state of emergency for weeks simply to attain political factors; who has threatened to deport folks in Springfield and throughout the nation; and who has mentioned the Haitians in Springfield weren’t authorized in his thoughts.
“However Haitian Bridge Alliance was made for this second, and we’re devoted to defending the communities we serve and combating for human rights, utilizing all of the instruments – humanitarian, authorized and social – that we’ve constructed during the last close to decade,” Crew added. “We’re dedicated to working along with each partnership we’ve, and to constructing extra each time attainable, to guard our group and promote a simply world – now, as a lot as ever (including in Haitian creole ‘anpil males chay pa lou’).”
The Bridge is a grassroots nonprofit group group that advocates for honest and humane immigration insurance policies and supplies migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, authorized, and social companies, with a specific deal with Black folks, the Haitian group, girls and women, LGBTQIA+ people, and survivors of torture and different human rights abuses.
New York State Meeting Member Michaelle C. Solages – the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who represents District 22 in Nassau County, Lengthy Island – mentioned the outcomes of final Tuesday’s US Presidential Elections “have instilled a wave of uncertainty in marginalized communities throughout New York, notably inside our Haitian group, who’re grappling with the looming menace of deportation below the brand new administration.
“Regardless of these obstacles, we stay resolute in our dedication to safeguard our neighbors and attempt towards a simply and equitable immigration system,” mentioned the fifth-term legislator, who represents the communities of Valley Stream, North Valley Stream, Elmont, South Valley Stream, South Floral Park, Floral Park, the Village of Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, North Woodmere, Stewart Manor, and sections of Franklin Sq..
“We gained’t dwell on the challenges; as an alternative, we are going to mobilize,” vowed Solages, the primary individual of Haitian descent to be elected to the New York State Legislature. She presently serves because the Meeting Deputy Majority Chief, in addition to chair of The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus.
Manuel Castro, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Workplace of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), mentioned, “New York Metropolis will proceed to face firmly by the values which have made it a thriving metropolis of immigrants, the place all residents—regardless of their immigration standing—ought to really feel in a position to belief their native authorities and search a greater future for themselves and their households.
“We perceive that our immigrant communities are going through heightened concern and uncertainty,” mentioned Castro, who, on the age of 5, crossed the southern border of the US along with his mom and grew up undocumented in Sundown Park and Flatbush, Brooklyn, dwelling to a few of the largest immigrant communities in New York Metropolis, together with Caribbean immigrants.
“It is crucial they know that New York Metropolis is totally dedicated to following our Sanctuary Metropolis legal guidelines,” added Castro, who was a part of the early era of undocumented youth activists referred to as DREAMers, combating for the precise to an training and authorized standing. “These legal guidelines clearly outline the boundary between our function as a metropolis authorities and federal immigration enforcement, defending the privateness and identification of immigrant New Yorkers.
“This respect for privateness allows immigrant New Yorkers to entry essential, typically life-saving, metropolis companies with out concern,” continued Castro, stating that MOIA is devoted to serving New York Metropolis’s 3.3 million immigrants, who come from over 160 nations.
