Hellish voyage ended in despair, deportation for Haitians

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Fri, Mar. 28, 2008
Hellish voyage ended in despair, deportation for Haitians
By TRENTON DANIEL

A year after 102 Haitian migrants jumped from a flimsy wooden sailboat and splashed ashore on a condo-spiked beach in Broward, almost all of them have been deported to their homeland.
The migrants' detention ignited street protests, church sermons and hunger strikes, but even with all the noise, many observers knew the outcome: Almost all the asylum seekers would be returned to Haiti.

One man died desperately trying to reach shore. Of the 101 migrants who remained, 80 have been sent back, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Fourteen juveniles were released to local family members. Four were released on medical orders of supervision, and the others are facing removal hearings.

Immigration attorneys lament not seeing a change in policy since the Hallandale Beach landing but note a small victory: Each migrant had legal representation in the initial stages.

''At least they got their day in court,'' said Lisa Metellus-Hood, a Fort Lauderdale attorney who represented four migrants, all deported.

South Florida's Haitian community and its supporters have long objected to what they call unfair immigration laws. Under the so-called ''wet-foot/dry-foot'' policy, Cuban migrants who reach land can stay without asking for asylum, but those interdicted at sea are generally returned to Cuba. Haitians -- on land or at sea -- are routinely sent back.

Just as disturbing to many immigration advocates is that Haitian migrants are not eligible for temporary protected status, whereas other groups are. The TPS designation would entitle Haitian migrants to temporary residency and work permits for up to 18 months.

A year ago Friday, the crowded sloop landed off Hallandale Beach after 22 days at sea, the passengers subsisting on toothpaste and water. A 24-year-old migrant, Lifaite Lully, drowned offshore -- his death a poignant reminder of the desperation so many Haitians feel to reach foreign shores.

Within 24 hours, a diverse group of attorneys mobilized to represent the new arrivals. The pro bono legal team, led by the Florida Immigration Advocacy Center, included attorneys from Catholic Charities, the Haitian Lawyers Association, Church World Service, Haitian Woman of Miami and elsewhere.

Attorney interviews with migrants revealed a boat filled with family members and strangers, mostly men in their 20s and 30s. There was a five months' pregnant woman. There was also a pastor, a carpenter, a teacher, a few involved in politics.

One attorney recalled how one of her clients had a gastrointestinal illness because of hunger. Another battled night terrors. One had bullet and stab wounds to his arms, torso and a leg.

''You really feel for these people,'' said Christine Reis, director of St. Thomas University's Human Rights Institute, which handled 20 of the cases. ``I think it was a matter of desperation. . . . What's the difference between risking your life there and taking a chance here?''

Attorneys also helped the mother of Lully secure a humanitarian visa to leave Haiti and attend her son's funeral service in Little Haiti. Lully is the only person known to have died on the voyage; the Port-de-Paix native drowned just off Hallandale Beach.

These days, surrounded by copper-and-granite grave markers and pastel-hued bouquets, Lully's body is buried in an unmarked grave in a cemetery tucked between Opa-locka and Interstate 95. There are no flowers, only grass and dirt.

In the end, attorneys say many of the asylum seekers withdrew their claims, anticipating deportation or fearing prolonged detention.

One 21-year-old fisherman from Ile de la Tortue, a small island off Haiti's northwest coast, couldn't cope with detention, his attorney said.

''He couldn't emotionally or mentally take it anymore,'' Metellus-Hood said.

Metellus-Hood said her client dropped his claim after he learned that three of her other clients were already denied asylum by Immigration Judge Rex J. Ford.

''It was a huge part,'' Metellus-Hood said. ``He's a tough judge for anyone to go in front of.''

Ford referred questions to the Executive Office for Immigration Review. A spokeswoman said she couldn't comment.

In addition to having his cousin, Lully, drown, Ricardo Francois saw his 27-year-old half-brother, Jean-Ferdinand Monestime, deported to Haiti on Jan. 9, he said.

''That's the way it is, you know?'' said Francois, a pizza delivery driver who lives in Hollywood. ``You can't do anything about it.''

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/473056.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. What a shame these people struggle through 700 miles of sea, and are thrown out, while

Cubans who won't be able to pass U.S. Interests Section background checks to get one of the 20,000 annual visas available simply give money to smugglers and come here, and are instantly given total immunity from deportation, from harrassment by INS agents, (never getting beaten down, slapped around, thrown in jail) are given instant legal status, work visa, welfare, food stamps, Section 8 U.S. taxpayer-financed housing, medical treatment, financial assistance for education, etc., etc., etc.

What a desperately evil shame, when many of these people are LITERALLY destined to be murdered if they returned to Haiti. There's not a moral person in government anywhere near the mechanism which allows this deadly, monstrous perversion of justice.

[magbana]

2. And the Haitian National Police Wait for them onshore

In the months after the coup when the Haitian National Police were assassinating Aristide supporters in the streets, Haitians were hopping on anything that could float trying to get away. US Coast Guard boats dotted the coast and fished Haitians out of the water. No one on board spoke Haitian creole, but this did not stop the intake interviews to determine who had a “legitimate” political asylum case. Virtually all were deemed “economic refugees’ (hell, that covers 99% of the people in Haiti). As they were returned to the port, the Haitian National Police were waiting for them.

[AlphaCentauri]

3. the neo-liberals need puppets not poor people. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

4. Amazing where the priorities are for these rightwing whores who run the propaganda in our papers. nt