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PEP May 2011
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Public Employee Press

Union joins the fight to protect Haitian immigrants

The City Council voted unanimously March 31 for a resolution backed by DC 37 calling for the United States to continue the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haitian immigrants as a humanitarian measure.

DC 37 Citizenship Committee Chair Cuthbert Dickenson, president of Local 374, and Associate Director Lawrence Kenchen of the Political Action and Legislation Dept. pressed for the bill March 22 on the steps of City Hall with the bill's author, City Council member Mathieu Eugene.

The earthquake that rocked their Caribbean nation last year killed hundreds of thousands of Haitians and left in its wake wide-ranging destruction and a spreading cholera epidemic that has killed over 1,500. The TPS, now scheduled to expire July 22, would let Haitians stay in the United States instead of returning to the devastated nation.

"The situation remains critical," said Eugene, "with over a million people still living under tents without basic necessities, such as clean water, food and medical care."

"All we are asking is that the federal government treat the people of Haiti fairly," said Dickenson.

Kenchen called on the Dept. of Homeland Security to "halt the deportations before more people die." Comptroller John C. Liu and City Council members Daniel Dromm and Jumaane Williams also spoke in support of the resolution.

 
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