Jesse Jackson: Haitian refugees test the measure of our nation's humanity

[babylonsister]

Haitian refugees test the measure of our nation’s humanity
Immigration rules should be clear and the playing field even.
By Jesse Jackson Sep 20, 2021, 5:24pm CDT



In one of the largest, fastest, most abrupt mass expulsions of refugees in modern U.S. history, the United States has begun flying some 12,000 Haitians camped in a Texas border town back to Haiti. Invoking executive authority asserted by Donald Trump, the Biden administration is enforcing the Donald Trump immigration policy when it comes to Haitians.

The first 320 migrants flown to Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, arrived dazed and distressed. Most were returned to a country that they had left years ago, migrating to Brazil or to Chile to find work — and then risking the dangerous trip to the U.S. border in the hope of improving their lives. On arrival in Haiti, they were given $100, tested for Covid-19, and left on their own.

They arrive in a country ravaged by natural disaster and political chaos. The former president was assassinated. Only last month, the island was struck by a devastating earthquake that killed more than 2,200 people and destroyed more than 137,500 homes and some 900 schools. According to Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency, fewer than half of the 83,000 families affected have received the food rations they need.

Jean Negot Bonheur Delva, the head of Haiti’s national migration office, admitted that the Haitian state is unable to provide security or food for the deportees and pleaded for a “humanitarian moratorium.”

What is the measure of our humanity? The Biden administration inherited an immigration policy shredded by Donald Trump, who fanned fears of immigrants as part of his race-bait politics. He illegally banned immigrants from Muslim countries. He scorned what he called “s**thole countries,” saying he only wanted immigrants from affluent white countries like Norway. He slandered Haitian immigrants as all having AIDS. And, of course, he made building The Wall a metaphor for America closing in on itself.

more...

https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2021/9/20/22684960/haitian-refugees-u-s-immigration-jesse-jackson

[abqtommy]

1. K&R

[Solly Mack]

2. K&R

[Hortensis]

3. It's very real but in grave danger right now along with our democracy.

Like so many, my husband and I would welcome them all. We always have. What's happening to all the desperate people at the border is heartbreaking. Whether just arrived, or living subsistence level at the border for long waits, they've all come so far.

But it's horribly possible that as soon as next year we could all start learning what's left of "our nation's humanity" under a RW white authoritarian government. Our nation is very close to going up in flames, and with immigration jet fuel for conflagration the U.S. may no longer be the safe port it always has been for most.

If a RW authoritarian government takes over, a swift trip back to Haiti is the very best Haitians could hope for, and also very unlikely. We saw what happened under tRump with their voters' approval. Before the courts stopped their big plans, they'd begun rounding up 9 million undocumented residents, and whoever got caught up with them, before they even had places to put them. In our brave new America, they'd be rounded up into thrown-up detention camps to await deportation to nations that often didn't want them, that many had never been to.

Right now we're taking in children, families with children, and the relatively few lone adults who qualify for asylum so they can apply to remain. We're sending back adults who don't. Hopefully this level of humanity will placate those voters who want to be humane but object to the "hoards" of immigrants RW media claim are flooding our nation. We need all the voters we can get, and keep. For everyone's sake, including all the peoples who share this part of the world with us.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

4. There are a lot of words there but it sounds like you're saying "vote harder or it will get worse,"

which IIRC was the message in 2020 as well. When will it start getting better?

Right now we're taking in children, families with children, and the relatively few lone adults who qualify for asylum so they can apply to remain. We're sending back adults who don't.

This is not what happened with the Haitians who are currently being deported back to Haiti.

https://joebiden.com/immigration/
The challenges we face will not be solved by a constitutionally dubious “national emergency” to build a wall, by separating families, or by denying asylum to people fleeing persecution and violence. Addressing the Trump-created humanitarian crisis at our border, bringing our nation together, reasserting our core values, and reforming our immigration system will require real leadership and real solutions. Biden is prepared on day one to deliver both. He will...Reassert America’s commitment to asylum-seekers and refugees."

But first, we'll focus on the NEXT election!

[JustAnotherGen]

5. Kick

[lagomorph777]

6. Immunity from humanity: no vaccine required, sez Hannity.