IMMIGRATION

Restoring Haiti to Glory/ continued from page 6 nearly 250 years since the founding of our nation, and still, America has managed to maintain that self image –whether through the forced migration of millions of African slaves, restrictive immigration laws based on unjust fears of “inferior” races, and nativist movements that encouraged immigrants to assimilate or leave.

Nation of Immigrants/ continued from page 1

But the true reality of America’s immigrant heritage is much more complicated beyond myth. It stands as the fundamental truth of the history of our great nation. To truly understand our country’s immigration system today is impossible without knowing who’s been kept out, let in, and how they have been treated once they arrive. As it stands, our immigration laws have not been updated in more than 30 years.

This has kept families apart for decades, limited our ability to attract and retain top talent, and forced millions to live their lives in a perpetual state of uncertainty. The values, courage, and tenacity of people seeking the opportunity of a better life should guide our efforts to support the immigrant community. As a daughter of Jamaican immigrants, I am uniquely familiar with the intestinal fortitude required to make that arduous journey and work every day to achieve the

American Dream, despite systems put in place to exclude and castigate.

As a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, CoChair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foreign Affairs and Immigration Task Force, and founding co-chair of the House Caribbean and House Haiti Caucuses, I have seen the glaring inequities and civil rights violations plaguing our immigrants in this nation. Let me be very clear: Our immigration system is broken, and I will not relent until our immigration system reflects a modern and equitable approach to this issue. The time has come for the values of our nation to be reflected in our immigration policies.

We need innovative policies and community support to reimagine the immigration system in a humane, just, and fair manner. I’m proud to stand here with my colleagues to demand additional federal aid to address the asylum seeker crisis.

And let’s be clear – this is a crisis. Not at our Southern Border, but here in our communities and neighborhoods. We have a moral obligation to provide Dreamers, TPS, and DED recipients with a real, manageable pathway to citizenship and permanent residency, update the immigrant registry, clear the family and employment-based backlogs, and pass comprehensive immigration reform. They came here fleeing everything from political and economic conflict to natural disasters and health crises. They came seeking a better life. They came and made this nation a better and more prosperous place. We are a nation of immigrants, founded by immigrants, so we must do better for our immigrants. In closing, Happy Immigrant Heritage Week. Let’s stay true to our heritage.l

In addition, it will be important to address the root causes of Haiti's challenges, including poverty, inequality and corruption. This will require a sustained effort by government leaders, civil society organizations, and yes, CARICOM and the international community, to work together to promote sustainable economic growth, improve education and health care, and promote social justice.

As calypsonian David Rudder offers: “Haiti, I am sorry. One day we'll turn our heads and restore your glory.”

Ultimately, turning Haiti around will require a long-term commitment and sustained effort by all stakeholders. By learning from its glorious past (the first in the Caribbean to achieve independence through a successful slave rebellion) as well as the leadership of Nelson Mandela, Lee Kuan Yew, and Errol Barrow, Haiti can begin to develop a comprehensive model that will help to transform the country and promote sustainable growth and development for all its citizens.

A global Eminent Persons Group to Haiti could be a critical first step.l

Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a ChangeEngine Consultant.