On January 25, 2012, the Committee on Immigration of the New York City Council held a hearing on Resolution 1096 calling upon the Department of Homeland Security to create a Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program. The Resolution, introduced by Haitian-American Councilor Mathieu Eugene, would benefit Haitians recovering from the January 12, 2010 earthquake by allowing Haitians with approved family-sponsored immigrant visa petitions to come to the United States.

Following is the statement that was delivered at the hearing on behalf of the Haitian-Americans United for Progress (HAUP)

My name is Jocelyn McCalla and I am pleased to testify today before this Committee on Resolution No. 1096, on behalf of the Haitian-Americans United for Progress (HAUP).

HAUP was founded 37 years ago by Haitian-American community leaders and advocates to help resettle and integrate Haitian asylum-seekers and immigrants in New York City. These leaders included the Most Rev. Guy Sansaricq, auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn and Ms. Carolle Berotte Joseph who is currently serving as President of Bronx Community College.

HAUP is located in Cambria Heights which is home to the largest Haitian-American enclave outside of Brooklyn. While HAUP began as a volunteer-based organization focused initially on responding to the needs of Haitian immigrants and refugees, it has since expanded and offers its multitude of services to newcomers and citizens alike. Under the leadership of Executive Director Elsie Saint-Louis, HAUP has risen to serve annually some 15,000 people who come to us from Cambria Heights proper as well as from Queens Village, Jamaica, Springfield Gardens and Laurelton. We provide services to clients in Brooklyn through our ambulatory programs. Residents of Elmont and Hempstead on Long Island also seek our services and support, since we are located so close to the border with Nassau County.

Regarding Resolution 1096

The Obama Administration responded remarkably fast and aggressively to the major catastrophe that hit Haiti some two years ago on January 12, 2010. The United States deployed thousands of troops to support the actions of a government that had literally collapsed, and to facilitate the relief and recovery response that poured from all over the world into Haiti. Stateside, it promptly granted Temporary Protected Status to Haitian non-immigrants who were in the United States at the time. Last year, the Administration extended TPS for this class and broadened it to include Haitians who had hurriedly joined their relatives after the earthquake because their livelihood had been destroyed. Most recently, the Administration has decided to allow Haitians to take part in the guest worker programs that U.S. growers and farmers use to ensure that they have sufficient legal labor to bring in the harvest.

Yet there’s one more step that the Administration could have taken and which – as Res. 1096 notes – it has not taken: it has not speeded up the family reunification process for Haitian immigrants who are already in the pipeline. These Haitians could be paroled and safely reunited with their relative sponsors in the United States while awaiting their final immigrant visa interviews. Such a program already exists for Cuban nationals. Failure to establish it for Haitians raises issues of double-standards.

HAUP supports the Resolution and urges the Committee on Immigration and the entire NY City Council to approve it. Such an action would send a very strong signal to the Obama Administration that this great city – which has one of the most diverse and productive immigrant populations in the United States – supports a Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program

Haitian Reality Today

Haiti’s recovery barely got off the ground in 2010, in spite of the close to $10 billion pledged at the March 2010 International Donors Conference, and the commitment to hasten efforts to build Haiti back better. As time went by, frustrations with political management of Haitian affairs and of the recovery efforts led both Haitians and their international allies to turn to electoral politics. These turned out to be highly controversial; a disaster was only averted by heavy-handed management of the process by the US and its key allies. Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, remains home to more than half a million internally displaced earthquake refugees. Many have returned to homes that are unsafe.

While the United States and its allies have done much in the past year to support Haiti’s recovery and reconstruction, economic growth and political stability remain a dream deferred. We hope that Haiti’s new President and legislature will provide the leadership necessary to allow for growth and prosperity. Most observers however agree that real economic progress is years away. Meanwhile, Haiti remains vulnerable to the vagaries of nature (floods, tropical storms, hurricanes) and societal misfortunes (health emergencies such as cholera outbreaks, malnutrition, increased commodities and food costs due to world price fluctuations).

Conclusion

Haitian-Americans United for Progress resolutely supports the adoption of Res. 1096. We are prepared to offer support to the beneficiaries of a Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program once it is promulgated. We can help ease resettlement woes for the newcomers, and assist their relatives who are either resident or citizens with the inevitable questions that arise in such situations. In short, we believe that this is the right thing to do and we urge the Committee and the Council to adopt the resolution unanimously.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano joined by members of the Haitian-Americans United for Progress (HAUP) and Kompa Guide at an event commemorating the 208^th Anniversary of Haiti’s Independence. The ceremony also honored the lives of tens of thousands of Haitians that died during an earthquake on January 12, 2010.

“When Haiti declared its freedom, Haitians made history, setting a precedent as the second country to declare independence in Latin America and creating the first post-colonial black-led nation in the world.  Today, we continue to see the courage of that struggle reflected in Haiti’s response to the devastating earthquake that occurred on January 12, 2010,” said County Executive Mangano.  “Despite all Haiti has endured throughout their history, Haitians have shown an unwavering strength, will, and passion to forge ahead and build a more prosperous nation.  I salute the many contributions that Haitian-Americans have made to the culture and prosperity here in Nassau County and I wish all Haitians a happy Independence Day and hope that 2012 is a year filled with peace and progress.”

The event was moderated by Haitian-American poet/performer Michèle Voltaire Marcelin whose writings and performances in English, French, and Creole are praised and sought after.  Haitian music, dance performances and gourmet meals illustrative of Haitian cuisine were also offered to guests.

“Haiti Day on January 11^th shed light on the growing contributions of Haitians to Nassau County’s diversity and economic development.  We are delighted to partner with Mr. Mangano in celebrating Haiti’s Independence and we look forward to a successful partnership,” said Elsie Saint Louis Accilien, Executive Director, The Haitian Americans United for Progress, Inc. (HAUP).

Gina Faustin, Executive Producer of Kompa Guide, added, “Many Haitian families including the Faustins settled in Nassau County in the early 1950′s and have been in integral part of its evolution, and richness. Haiti’s Independence Celebration will raise awareness to this remarkable population.”

Haitian-Americans United for Progress (HAUP) is one of the largest not-for-profit community-based organizations in the greater Cambria Heights area and Nassau County, serving approximately 15,000 people a year through a variety of programs and services that range from after-school and youth programs to remedial care for the elderly and the mentally-disabled.  HAUP has risen from its inception 35 years ago as a small volunteer-based Haitian refugee and immigrant mutual assistance association into a service agency that reaches out to the broader community of immigrants and native-born Americans.  HAUP is dedicated to providing a supportive environment through education, training, culture, networking opportunities, and other support services, that allow members of the community to successfully adapt and thrive.

Faustin is a Haiti booster par excellence, promoting it as a travel destination along with its unique music, culinary offerings and and culture.

Next January 11, Kompa Guide will partner with HAUP to celebrate Haiti’s Independence, honor the memory of the 2010 earthquake victims, and pay tribute to all those who rallied to Haiti’s side at a time of extreme need.

The event, organized in cooperation with the office of County Executive Edward Mangano, will be held on January 11, 2012 from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building in Mineola. It will be free and open to the public.

HAUP’s event will feature and be moderated by Haitian-American poet/performer Michèle Voltaire Marcelin whose writings and performances in English, French, and Creole are much praised and sought after. Haitian music, dance performances and gourmet meals illustrative of Haitian cuisine will be offered to the 250 or more assembled guests, community and business leaders, and officials from Nassau County.

The Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative building in Mineola, Nassau County is an excellent venue for the festive event that aims to highlight the Haitian presence in Nassau County. Indeed, many Haitian professionals (physicians, teachers, engineers, architects, nurses, financial services executives, realtors and lawyers) have made the county their home. The recent election of Haitian-American Carrie Solages is testament to their growing presence and impact on local developments.

Beginning with a range of beverages and Haitian-spiced pumpkin soup, they moved on to the varied offerings of salad, pastas, grains, vegetables, pork chops, ham, turkey with stuffing, topped by cakes/pies/pastries/cookies galore…if there were any room left. In short, it was a feast worth remembering! But most important was the good company.

HAUP gives thanks for the many donated dishes that helped make it all possible. And to its dedicated staff who joined the occasion with gusto, serving guests, helping in the kitchen, slicing turkeys, and all the rest…for their community’s celebration of this uniquely American holiday.

As you can tell from the photographs of the occasion, it was a day to be thankful for what we have…particularly for each other.

The City of New York is just about ready to request the release of monies promised for the renovation of our new headquarters.  This means the long-awaited, long hoped-for construction we have worked so hard to bring to life is very near.  So near we can almost hear work crews pouring concrete for the foundations of our new, modern, two-story offices with a bright basement.

But there’s a catch.

New York Cityneeds to ensure HAUP has cash to cover expenses during construction in the event its money is not turned over to us in due time.  Consequently NYC has requested we have on hand about $600,000 for a 12-month period, the anticipated building time. This money will not be spent, rather held as a guarantee that once construction start, it will remain on schedule without delays.

HAUP does not have that amount of money in reserve.  That is why we are turning to you and to many others, asking that you entrust HAUP with $1,000 or more for a year.  This money will be held in trust and reported on quarterly; and your contribution will be returned to you in full.  It will simply provide a necessary “bridge” to float the project until receipt of promised/guaranteed NYC reimbursement.

We know times are tough, but bad times will be followed by better times.  Our new building is a down payment on just such a future, helping HAUP provide improved and diversified services, build community and empowerment, in a modern, comfortable setting.

Walking away from a $2 million gift is simply a no-no.  Let’s stand shoulder-to-shoulder.  Please say “Yes, we
can–and we will!”

WITH THE HELP OF OUR FRIENDS

HAUP is most grateful for the support of the following for helping make HAUP’s new
headquarters a reality:

New York City Councilman Leroy Comrie, $1.3 million;

PresidentPro-TemporeNew York State Senator Malcolm Smith, $250,000;

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, $200,000;

New York State Assemblywoman Barbara Clark $150,000;

New York State Assemblyman William Scarborough, $50,000;

And many community supporters like you, $70,000 to date.

The HAUP youth group visited the camps of displaced persons such as Belvil in the Petionville section of the capital.  Here they distributed hundreds of toys and teaching materials to children and teenagers on the verge of school re-entry as well as launched the first phase of HAUP’s drinking water distribution for more than 250 families living in the tent town.

At Sarazin on the outskirts of Morne L’Hospital, they received an enthusiastic welcome from the summer campers who performed traditional Haitian music and provided a particularly warm, festive atmosphere full of emotion and conviviality as they demonstrated with obvious delight their arts-and-crafts talents.  That paved the way for the possibility of future cultural exchange and more volunteerism between the HAUP group and young people of Sarazin.  It was yet more art, dancing, music, theater at Guibert, a communal section of Kenscoff; and a cordial welcome at the health center of the Poupelard summer camp which is funded by New York’s Haitian diaspora community.

In addition to a rich program of arts, education, tourism, and peer exchange in camps, orphanages, and social service centers, the HAUP delegation visited a number of cultural inheritance sites in Port-au-Prince and beyond.  They included a particularly affecting stop at Titanyen and the Forest of Remembrance, the location of mass graves to the memory of the earthquake’s disappeared.

PERSONAL FEEDBACK

“We knew, especially after the earthquake damage, that we would be immersed in a reality other than the one we live in every day,” reported Tasha Saint-Louis, 19 and a third-year law student in international affairs at Western New England University, “So we were able to experience the real strength of our wonderful
group, live through our wide-ranging emotions, and open our eyes to other realities on our planet.”  Convinced that each made a particular and special contribution to Haiti, Tasha added she is even more determined today to be fully and voluntarily committed to her HAUP activities and working within the Haitian community.

For Noelle Charles, 18 and about the begin her college education at Bridgeport University, the images of devastating destruction and intense suffering that invaded her following the January 12 earthquake both shocked and revolted her.  As the child of a mother originally from Jeremie who often spoke of
her native country, they also germinated her impatience to come and live the Haitian experience on-site.  “This experience was very informative for all of us,” Noelle commented, adding, “Many connections were established and we were all sad at the thought of leaving the children because what we had built with them was unique.”  Also the child of Haitian parents, from Croix-des-Bouquets and Port-au-Prince, Delfine Kerniza, 19 and a third-year student of communications at New York’s Albany State University, summed up with “My parents must be proud!”

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“This trip was the result of several months of work with young people who did not hesitate to invest in various community and humanitarian actions here in the United States in order to find the necessary funding for the trip,” emphasized HAUP Executive Director Elsie Saint Louis Accilien.  She was clearly overjoyed by both the spontaneous and warm welcome the HAUP youth group received as well as the establishment of so constructive a dialogue between young Haitians and Haitian-Americans.

Back in the US, the students not only wrote an individual report emphasizing what most marked their stay, but also made a public presentation of their impressions.  And they continue to share lessons learned–personal experiences and deepened knowledge of Haiti–through peer learning sessions along with a deepened commitment to community activities.  In short, the trip created an indelible memory and they returned home with another vision of their country of cultural origin. “For most it was a first-time visit, but likely not the last,” the HAUP executive director concluded approvingly.

“Because we did not stand still, because you hit the ground running with us, we performed miracles big and small this year,” Executive Director Elsie Saint-Louis Accilien told the assembly, itemizing achievements from successful pressure for President Barack Obama’s extension of Temporary
Protected Status to a broader group of Haitian victims of last year’s earthquake and renewed benefits for the already qualified, on through Haiti Baseball Day with the New York Mets.  “Together we can achieve even more
miracles for our community in the future,” she emphasized.

Honored at the October event were Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott of the New York City Department of Education, who received the HAUP Toussaint Louverture Award; Marcel Robin, CPCU, LTCP of State Farm Insurance Companies, named HAUP Entrepreneur of the Year; and Bernard F. Dowd of the Bernard F. Dowd Funeral Home, recipient of the HAUP Community Service Award, who used the occasion to make a passionate statement for greater community support for HAUP’s vital mission.

Among the many dignitaries and elected officials present were:  Haiti Consul General Felix Augustin; US Congressman Gregory Meeks; New York City Comptroller John Liu; representation from the Office of State Senator Malcolm Smith and Mark McMillan of the Queens Borough President’s Office; New York City Councilmen Leroy Comrie, Mathieu Eugene, Brian Sanders; Edward Ambrosino,NassauCounty.