Working to prevent illegal immigration is difficult. But no hardship excuses the hard truth that men on horseback whipping Haitian refugees to exercise so-called crowd control harkens back to the rounding up of runaway slaves searching for a better life.
I call on the Biden Administration to halt repatriation of Haitians for the following reasons:
- Using Title 42 without a hearing is a deeply disturbing lack of due process;
- Placing a moratorium on deportation for humanitarian reasons is the right thing to do; and
- Taking this arbitrary action based on their country of origin does not appear to be equal treatment for these refugees.
Haitians from throughout the Southern Hemisphere are now seeking a better life because of the natural disasters and socio-economic and political turmoil befalling their home country. This diaspora of Haitians has congregated on our border with the hope of a new life like many immigrant communities throughout the centuries.
According to Reuters, over 1,400 migrants have been sent back to Haiti from the camps outside of Del Rio, Texas even though most those persons have not lived in Haiti for years. Some 3,200 people have begun the process of interviews for seeking asylum, they report further. And according to Customs and Border Patrol figures there may be some 10,000 more refugees to assist.
There is no excuse for the actions caught on camera of Customs and Border Patrol agents using horses and "split reins" to do their job. Professional behavior by Customs and Border Patrol requires they treat asylum-seekers with respect. Hardship and heartache have been on full display on our southern border in these last few days. It is time to show some empathy and understanding. Firm, fair and humane due process for asylum seekers must be the standard. Showing some humanity while doing this important work should be the norm.
My colleague Representative Al Green and I have introduced and co-sponsored H-Res. 670 condemning the inhumane treatment of Haitian migrants at the Southern Border. The United States can do better than this.
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