Assemblymember Bichotte to Join Haitian Elected Officials to Draft Strategic Plan for Haitians Across the Country

Miami, FL – Haitian American elected officials from across the United States will hold a press conference to demand that the civil rights for Haitian immigrants across the country be honored. This comes at the height of recent decisions impacting the immigration status of Haitians currently residing in the United States and those who are visiting. Discussions on strategic planning and various legislative issues including a call to action are taking place on Friday, January 26, 2018, and Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the National Retreat of the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON) hosted in the City of North Miami in Florida.

The Haitian community throughout the country has endured pain. It has been on the receiving end of unjust rhetoric and anti-immigration policies and it faces challenges of communal vitality. With the termination of H2A/ H2B visas and the recent expiration of Temporary Protected Status for 50,000 Haitians, our community has been rocked to its core.

"I represent one of the largest concentrations of Haitians in the United States," said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte, 42nd Assembly District, Brooklyn, New York. "I am happy to come together with my colleagues in NHAEON this weekend to chart a path forward for Haitians in this country. We will call on this administration to reverse course and implement policies that are humane and just, especially as it relates to the Temporary Protected Status Program, and immigration. These policies are currently having a devastating impact on our community and need to be remedied."

"In a city in the United States where many Haitian Americans call home, I am delighted to host my colleagues from across this nation as we gather to discuss critical issues impacting a large portion of my constituents and policies affecting our beloved country," said Alix Duselme, North Miami Councilman.

"Effective leadership demands progressive actions and defensive reactions. Since 2009, members of the National Haitian-American Elected Officials Network have been proactive in empowering Haitian nationals with our collective advocacy. The recent decisions to terminate TPS and disqualify Haitians for H2A and H2B benefits, we contend, were motivated, not by law, but by racism and xenophobia. Consequently, these illegal decisions necessitate such a retreat to defend Haitian interests." Mayor Joseph Makhandal Champagne, Jr., Esq, NHAEON chairperson.

"I am happy to have NHAEON in my district this weekend as we discuss vital issues concerning our community. Through this productive dialogue I hope to have a clear course of action on ways that I can continue to improve the lives of the citizens of Florida Senate district 38," said Senator Daphne Campbell.

"This reunion is historical and critical to shaping our beloved country Haiti and to continue to serve Haitians and Haitian Americans throughout the United States of America. I am excited to be amongst a group of elite Haitian professionals this weekend," said Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, representing Suffolk County Long Island, New York.

"Now, more than ever, we must work collectively across the nation to foster the much-needed change for Haitians in the United States. I am proud to work alongside other talented Haitian- American public officials from across the country to address these matters," said Assemblymember Clyde Vanel, representing Queens, New York.

"It is an honor to be an active member of NHAEON as I pay attention to policies and interests of the community that I represent in Irvington Township," said Charnette Frederic, West Ward Council Member, Irvington, New Jersey.

"This gathering of Haitian-American Elected and Appointed Officials comes at a critical time in the history of America," said Councilwoman Valerie M. Cartright of Brookhaven, New York on Long Island. "However, Haitians now find themselves as the subject of hateful political rhetoric and unsupported policy decisions here in the U.S. There is no better time to come together with members of NHAEON in an effort to strengthen the protection of the human rights of Haitian people and shape immigration policies that are in the spirit of our long-standing policy of providing humanitarian assistance to those in need."

"As negative remarks about Haiti and its people become a preoccupation for many, we, Haitian-American Elected and Appointed Officials, must look at the bright side, foster team spirit, breed optimism, promote resilience, renew faith and inspire confidence in ourselves and in others," said Samson Borgelin, Commissioner District D, North Lauderdale, Florida. "The younger generation must know their identity and heritage in order to be proud of their roots. It is no accident that we as members of NHAEON are where we are, and doing what we are doing. Who knows whether we have come this far for such a time as this? With positive attitude from all these gems of officials we can make a world of difference for generations to come both in the United States of America and our beloved mother Republic of Haiti."

"I am humbled to join this network of Haitian-American elected officials from across the United States here in North Miami on this historic occasion. As a millennial representing thousands of Haitians in Palm Beach County, Florida, I feel it is imperative that we change the narrative for our future generations and dispel the lies that have been told about Haiti and its people for so long. We are resilient and will continue to fight for true freedom and equality. Today, we as an organization, symbolize the Haitian flag's motto: L'Union Fait La Force," said Commissioner Christina Romelus, District 3, Boynton Beach, Florida.