NORTH MIAMI, FLA. (WSVN) - Community leaders and members of South Florida’s Haitian community came together Monday for a press conference as fear and uncertainty continues following the Trump administration’s decision to officially end their temporary protected status.
Florida State Sen. Shervin D. Jones pushed back against the move, announced Friday, by the Department of Homeland Security. He said Haitians are an integral part of the South Florida community.
“The Haitian community is not here to plea with nobody, but they are here to protect what they have built in this country, in this state and in this community,” said Florida State Sen. Shervin D. Jones.
He added the department’s move to terminate this protected status is a dangerous move.
“This isn’t just a policy failure, this is forced displacement on American soil,” said Jones.
The Department of Homeland Security officials said the conditions in Haiti have improved to allow the safe return of Haitian citizens, but for the Haitians gathered in North Miami on Monday, Haiti still remains in a state of crisis and are calling for the decision to be reversed.
“Haiti not safe. Haiti is not ready,” said Miami-Dade District 2 Commissioner Marleine Bastien.
Miami-Dade District 3 Councilwoman Mary Estimé-Irvin further added to the concerns regarding the country’s safety.
“Haiti is in a crisis. Gangs rule streets once filled with hope, schools are shattered, hospitals overwhelmed, families displaced,” said Mary Estimé-Irvin. “To say Haiti is safe to return defies facts, reason, and morality.”
As a result of the policy change, over half-a-million Haitians in the United States could face the possibility of deportation and losing their opportunity to work in the sunshine state as well.
“This state should be a place of refuge, not of retribution. Our job is to protect people, not punish them for where they come from,” said Jones.
The leaders are urging the Trump administration to reconsider its decision and urging local Haitian residents to seek out resources and legal help to create a plan.
The termination will go into effect on Sept. 2.
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