Haitian community leaders denounce
deportation of compatriots at Texas border
Caribbean citizens among immigrants sworn-in as US citizens
Caribbean Life, SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2021 3
By Tangerine Clarke
Forty immigrants from countries,
including Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados,
Nigeria, and 12 others from around the
world, were honored with American
citizenship, and presented with certificates
on Constitution Day, Friday Sept.
17 during a naturalization ceremony
at King Manor Museum, in Jamaica,
Queens.
Barbadian-born, Toni Blackman-
Cox, an information technology manager,
who immigrated to Brooklyn from
the parish of St. Michael in 2005, told
Caribbean Life “it feels great to be an
American citizen, where my one-year
old daughter was born.”
Blackman-Cox who was already
trained in the technology field, realized
the American dream earlier on, by completing
her studies to earn a degree in
Computer Information Systems.
Like her, Jamaica native Jean Daley, a
home health aid, arrived in the U.S. nine
years, and worked diligently towards
becoming an American citizen. She
was beaming with joy, as she expressed
how wonderful it felt to be accepting a
certificate of citizenship.
United States Military CSC Missions
Petroleum specialist, Rukmine Oudhilall,
a Guyanese, who spent three years
in military service to America, said it
was a privilege.
The Queens resident, who raised her
right hand and pledged the oath of allegiance
to the United States of America,
expressed how awesome it was to
become a U.S. citizen.
“It feels so good to become an American
citizen. It is a dream of every
individual to become a United States
citizen, and I am proud of my wife, who
come all the way to Nigeria, to bring me
here, and inspire me to join the United
States military, because of the good
opportunity,” said Avinze Nwagjuaku.
“I am happy to be a citizen, and I
pledge I will uphold, the constitution of
the United States,” he added joyfully.
Ingrid Stochmal, acting field officer
director, Queens field office, US Citizenship
and Immigration Services, who
served as emcee, congratulations the
new citizens, before calling the Hon.
Judge Sanket J. Bushara to the podium.
“Today is a remarkable day, said Judge
J. Bushara. You are 40 citizens from
around the world, from small island
nations, to large countries where a billion
people live,” said the arbiter of the
diverse Eastern District of New York, of
Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and
Long Island, where over eight people
million live.
By Nelson A. King
Haitian community leaders in Brooklyn
have strongly condemned the mass
deportation of Haitian migrants at the
Texas border.
The leaders, including legislators —
Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte
Hermelyn, chair of the Brooklyn Democratic
Party, and Council Members Dr.
Matthieu Eugene and Farah N. Louis —
rallied on Tuesday outside Brooklyn Borough
Hall denouncing the deportations.
The Biden administration on Saturday
began deporting thousands of Haitians
who have migrated at the southern border
in the past week after illegally entering
the US, overwhelming the South
Texas town of Del Rio.
“Heart wrenching scenes from the
Texas border have perturbed citizens of
the world,” said Bichotte Hermelyn, the
daughter of Haitian immigrants, who
represents the 42nd Assembly District
in Brooklyn. “America is a country built
upon immigrant’s dreams, grit and hard
work. It is with urgency that I beg the
Biden administration to find the compassion
to allow the Haitian families and
children in Del Rio to stay.
“I decry the actions of border patrol
agents, whose use of force against
migrants reflects a narrative not seen
since colonial times,” added Bichotte
Hermelyn, who, in July, had written to
US President Joe Biden, urging him to
halt deportations of Haitians following
the assassination of Haiti’s former president,
Jovenel Moïse.
“I proudly join my Haitian American
elected colleagues in demanding our
nation meet migrants with an open door,
not the racist immigration policies of the
past administration,” she continued.
Dr. Eugene, the first Haitian to be
elected to New York City Council, said:
“We are all concerned about the treatment
of our Haitian brothers and sisters
who have crossed the border into Texas.
“Their ordeal represents a humanitarian
crisis, and we stand together in
solidarity with them,” added the representative
for the 40th Council District
in Brooklyn. “The United States has a
moral obligation to protect these immigrants,
and we demand that they receive
due process upon their arrival and are
not deported back to Haiti.
“Our country is still suffering in the
aftermath of the August 14th earthquake,
an event which compounded the
previous crises that had already caused
widespread devastation and chaos,” Dr.
Eugene continued. “Haiti cannot handle
an influx of refugees that will worsen
an incredibly dire situation and should
not be forced into an untenable circumstance
that would endanger the lives of
so many. We are asking for compassion
towards Haitian refugees to keep them
in a safe and secure living environment.”
Louis, another daughter of Haitian
immigrants, who represents the adjacent
45th Council District in Brooklyn, said
she was “absolutely disgusted with the
Biden Administration and the inhumane
treatment of our Haitian sisters and
brothers in Del Rio, Texas.
“The US is supposed to lead by example,
extending compassion and treating
human beings with dignity and respect,”
she said. “Instead, we have seen an
expeditious expulsion, which contradicts
the administration’s recognition of the
ongoing political and health crises in
Haiti within the last two months that
have caused thousands to seek refuge
elsewhere.
“The suppression of Black people, partially
from the Caribbean or West Indies,
despite our contributions through public
service, local economy, and cultural
footprint throughout this nation’s history,
speaks volumes,” Louis continued.
“We are here to make it clear that we will
persist until these deportations cease
and Haitian migrants are given the same
opportunity to seek asylum like so many
others who arrived here before them.”
The Rev. Dr. Samuel Nicolas, the Haitian
born Senior Pastor and President of
the Brooklyn-based Haitian Evangelical
Clergy Association, said his group was
“saddened and disappointed with the
treatment that Haitian migrants are
being subjected to in DelRio, Texas.
“This treatment is cruel and barbaric,
and no asylum seeker should be treated
with such indignity,” he said. “We pray
that our local, state and federal authorities
will act swiftly to correct this horrific
situation.”
Jackson Rockingster, president of
HABNET Chamber of Commerce and
chair of Little Haiti Bk (Brooklyn), urged
the Biden administration to “afford the
Haitian migrants justice, equity and due
process, because they are on US soil.
Haitian-Americans, including elected offi cials and community organizations,
attend the rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Offi ce of Assemblymember
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
Guyanese-American, Attorney at
Law Andrea Ogle, Guyanese-born
US. Military Mission Specialist, Rukmine
Oudhilall, and Nigerian-born
Avinze Nwajuaku U.S. Military Specialist,
after a Naturalization Ceremony
at King Manor Museum, Jamaica,
Queens. Photo by Tangerine Clarke