Haitian Refugee Pleads With Congress
"I hope you understand how important this legislation is [to me], says Pierre Absalon at September 25 Press Conference

My name is Pierre Absalon and I am here to tell you my story in the hope that you will understand how important this legislation is. When Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president of Haiti in 1990, I was glad that democracy had finally come to my country. I supported President Aristide, and worked for him. However, after only seven months in office, President Aristide was overthrown. The day he lost power, the army began to round up anyone who had supported the democratic government.

Knowing that Aristide supporters who were caught were thrown in jail, tortured, and often killed, I went into hiding. I lived in the bushes for several months. When I needed to walk on the streets, I would disguise myself in my mother's clothes. When the army could not find me, they arrested my grandmother. They put her in jail, where she soon died because of bad conditions.

I knew if they found me, I would be killed. Along with several other people I planned to leave Haiti by boat. It was a little sailboat. about 20 feet long. Thirty of us squeezed into the boat, and we set sail for the United States on a Thursday morning at 2:00 a.m. For almost three days we were at sea, With so many people inside the boat, it was taking on water. The United States coast Guard picked us up Saturday afternoon.

The Coast Guard took me to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. After four months I finally was able to go to bed each night without wondering if I would be killed. During many interviews by U.S. officials at Guantánamo Bay, I probably answered 250 questions about why I left Haiti. Finally, the officials were satisfied that I had shown a "credible fear of persecution" so they let me come to the United States to apply for asylum.

I have lived in this country since February of 1992. I now live in Long Island with my wife, and I support her and our children who are United States citizens. I have worked for a distribution company for the last year and a half.

I hope someday to go to college and join the Navy. The Navy appeals to to me because I was rescued at sea, and given a second chance at life. I have actually tried to sign up twice, but each time they rejected me because I am not a permanent resident. All these plans are on hold right now, until Congress decides what to do. I hope Congress makes the right decision. 

For more information, contact the National lmmigration Forum (202) 544-0004.