Biden deports Haitians on anniversary of Dessalines’ birth
Protesters stand on the statue of Jean-Jacques Dessalines
at the end of a march to demand an investigation into the
alleged misuse of Venezuela-sponsored PetroCaribe funds
by previous administrations, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sept.
23, 2018. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares/File
Caribbean Life, SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2021 11
Haitians here already
aggrieved by the devastation
of the Aug. 14 earthquake that
devastated their homeland are
further belabored by the recent
announcement from President
Joe Biden of his intent to
deport 12,000 asylum seekers at
the Texas border.
Citing fears of spiking the
COVID-19 casualty count in
the USA and other security
concerns, the commander-inchief
vowed to return eight
planeloads of Haitian citizens
daily back to embattled French
Caribbean island liberated from
slavery more than 200 years
ago.
The irony of his action conflicts
with the Sept. 20 anniversary
birthdate of Jean Jacques
Dessalines, the revolutionary
soldier who mobilized a historic
defeat of the French colonial
enslavers when no other colony
had successfully challenged any
European powers.
Dessalines is revered in
Haiti and despite back-toback
adversities with the July
7, 2021 assassination of President
Jovenel Moise, flood rains
from tropical storm Grace, a
7.2 magnitude earthquake and
other overwhelming travesties
this year, the avowed liberator
will be regaled from 6 to 9 pm at
206 Parkside Ave. in Brooklyn.
The occasion will mark a
bitter-sweet period for Haitians
who despite encumbrance
are determined to honor their
heroes.
Nationals will pour libation
in celebration of the anniversary
of the birth of the historymaking
trailblazer while simultaneously
monitor the plight of
fellow nationals many of whom
have experienced perilous travel
through South America in
order to seek refuge in America
.F
rom the Citadel in Haiti to
resident US cities of Florida and
New York the anniversary birthdate
of Haiti’s self-proclaimed
Emperor will be regaled.
Meanwhile last Friday, Texas
Gov. Gregory Abbott announced
that the state was notified that
Department of Defense and
Department of Homeland agencies
will transport many of the
migrants now bunkering in his
state to Arizona, California and
other parts of Texas for relocation.
Reports are that security
forces have been summoned to
address the emergency conditions
that reportedly is overwhelming
Del Rio, a town of
35,000 where beleaguered Haitians
have amassed under an
international bridge that connects
the USA and Mexico.
According to the Associated
Press, US Customs and US Border
Protection will dispatch as
many as 400 agents and officers
to assist with improving
condition in the South Texas
community.
Water and food are desperately
needed.
Human rights advocates are
also concerned about the lack
of medical assistance.
However, along with Immigration
Customs Enforcement
(ICE) and the US Coast Guard
of primary role the focus will be
expediting relocations.
Many Haitians fled their
Caribbean homeland a year or
more ago a with more than a
few admitting to horrendous
conditions they endured during
their long journey in order to
seek refuge.
On listener-supported, talk
radio station WBAI-FM last
weekend, Haitian activists
claimed that during a twomonth
period the Biden administration
has deported more
than his predecessor.
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Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce