|
Haitian Asylum-Seeker Dies in Immigration Custody
Haitian Rights Coalition Calls for Full Investigation
New York, November 17, 2004 -- Caught in the terrifying crossfire
of the political violence and lawlessness that has gripped Haiti
since September, 81-year old Joseph Dantica ran away to the United
States, seeking shelter and comfort in the arms of his family.
Instead, he faced the hellish nightmare Haitian refugees before him
have confronted when seeking asylum in the US: held overnight at
Miami International Airport, placed in detention at Krome North,
isolated from family, friends and legal help, facing an Immigration
bureaucracy that from the top down has been hostile to Haitians’
claims of fear of persecution. He arrived in Miami on October 29,
and was pronounced dead on November 3.
"Pastor Dantica was a man of faith who put his fate in the hands
of the US government. A visitor to the US since the 1970s, he had
little intention of spending the rest of his life in the US. He
hoped to return there when peace and calm were restored," said
Jocelyn McCalla, Executive Director of the National Coalition for
Haitian Rights. He was instead treated like a pauper. Neither his
frequent visits to the US, nor his close relationship with his
famous niece, celebrated Haitian-American writer Edwidge Danticat,
compelled a more humane government response.
"We call on the Justice Department to conduct a full and
impartial investigation into the tragic death of Mr. Dantica," said
Mr. McCalla. "More importantly, we urge a review and overhaul of the
policy that singles out Haitian refugees and immigrants for
discriminatory treatment. Cuban asylum-seekers can walk away happily
after applying for asylum whereas Haitians are held behind bars. For
the fifth time since 1999, the US government has granted Temporary
Protected Status (TPS) to Nicaraguans and Hondurans because of the
earthquake damage in their countries since then. Yet it has
repeatedly denied TPS to Haitians whose country undoubtedly meets
the conditions for such considerations: ongoing armed conflict and
environmental disaster. Haitian asylum-seekers deserve to be treated
fairly and equitably. Non-immigrant Haitians in the US should be
granted TPS."
+++++++++++++
Send
a letter now to President George W. Bush demanding Justice for
Dantica and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians!
For more information, please see:
NCHR Statements on Dantica and TPS:
Timeline: Events Preceding
Dantica's Tragic Death Events Preceding The Death of the Rev.
Joseph N. Dantica
Other Statements:
Dantica and TPS in the Media:
-
NY
Daily News, Nov. 28, 2004 --
A Death Bares
America's Biased Policy
-
Associated Press, Nov. 27, 2004 --
Death of Man, 81, in US Custody, Another Haitian Tragedy.
-
New
York Times, Nov. 24, 2004 --
A Very
Haitian Story, by Edwidge Danticat.
-
New
York Newsday, Nov. 21, 2004 --
Rev. Dantica, Haitian Who Died in Fed Custody.
-
New
York Post, Nov. 21, 2004 --
Tears, Rage Over Haitian
Refugee Who Died in Fed Jail.
-
New
York Times, Nov. 21, 2004 --
New York
Was Our City on the Hill, by Edwidge Danticat
-
The
Guardian, Nov. 20, 2004 --
Preacher's Death
Prompts Protest.
-
Associated Press, Nov. 19, 2004 --
Family, Activists Seek Answers in Death of Haitian Minister
-
New
York Daily News, Nov. 19, 2004 --
Fury Over Haitian Author's
Kin.
-
St.
Petersburg Times, Nov. 19, 2004 --
Haitian Pastor Dies on US Doorstep.
-
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Nov. 17, 2004 --
Human Rights Groups Urge Probe Into Death of Haitian in US
Custody.
-
Associated Press, Nov. 17, 2004 --
Probe Sought in
Haitian Detainee's Death.
-
Miami Herald, Nov. 17, 2004 --
Probe Requested in Death of Haitian Man in Federal Custody
-
Miami Herald, Nov. 14, 2004 --
Twice a Victim, First in Haiti then the US
To view Acrobat files, you need Adobe Reader. To
download your free Adobe Reader, please
click here
|
|