"I am deeply concerned by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) recent decision to resume the deportation of undocumented Haitian immigrants. As we are all too aware, over the past decade, Haiti has unfortunately been severely impacted by natural disasters and political instability which contributed to its status as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and caused extreme hardship in the lives of her people. Although Haitian infrastructure has improved somewhat since the deadly 2010 earthquake, the country has been contending with a cholera outbreak that has afflicted more than 750,000 people and killed more than 9,000 of women, men, and children.
Given this public health crisis and the current economic and political instability in Haiti, we have a responsibility to our Caribbean sisters and brothers to act with compassion, which includes providing for Haitians already present in the United States. I am particularly concerned about the timing of this DHS action, which occurs just a few weeks ahead of Haiti's upcoming elections. I continue to monitor this situation closely and work with my fellow Members of Congress to address this critical humanitarian issue."
