Haitian-Americans including elected officials and community organizations attend the rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Tuesday.
September 22, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sabrina L. Rezzy
rezzys@nyassembly.gov
718-840-0428
Brooklyn’s Haitian Leaders Denounce Deportation of Migrants at the Texas Border
Brooklyn, NY – Elected officials including Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (AD-42), who also serves as the Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair, Council Member Matthieu Eugene (CD-40), and Council Member Farah N. Louis (CD-45), Haitian-American organizational leaders, activists and clergy, rallied outside Brooklyn Borough Hall yesterday to denounce the mass deportation of Haitian migrants from the Texas border.

In Washington D.C., Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer also condemned these deportations on the floor of the U.S. Senate while Garrett Armwood, his Deputy State Director, appeared at the Brooklyn rally to reaffirm his remarks.

"Heart wrenching scenes from the Texas border have perturbed citizens of the world,” said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. “America is a country built upon immigrant’s dreams, grit, and hard work. It is with urgency that I beg the Biden administration to find the compassion to allow the Haitian families and children in Del Rio to stay. I decry the actions of border patrol agents, whose use of force against migrants reflects a narrative not seen since colonial times. I proudly join my Haitian American elected colleagues in demanding our nation meet migrants with an open door, not the racist immigration policies of the past administration."
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn on NBC Tuesday night discussing the mass deportations. **trigger warning for graphic footage of border agents abusing migrants**
The Assemblymember penned a letter to President Biden in July urging the administration to halt deportations of Haitians following the assassination of Haiti’s former president, Jovenel Moïse and subsequent magnitude 7.2 earthquake, which occurred just last month.

Council Member Matthieu Eugene (CD-40) said, "We are all concerned about the treatment of our Haitian brothers and sisters who have crossed the border into Texas. Their ordeal represents a humanitarian crisis, and we stand together in solidarity with them. The United States has a moral obligation to protect these immigrants, and we demand that they receive due process upon their arrival and are not deported back to Haiti. Our country is still suffering in the aftermath of the August 14th earthquake, an event which compounded the previous crises that had already caused widespread devastation and chaos. Haiti cannot handle an influx of refugees that will worsen an incredibly dire situation and should not be forced into an untenable circumstance that would endanger the lives of so many. We are asking for compassion towards Haitian refugees to keep them in a safe and secure living environment."

"I am absolutely disgusted with the Biden Administration and the inhumane treatment of our Haitian sisters and brothers in Del Rio, Texas," said Council Member Farah Louis (CD-45). "The U.S. is supposed to lead by example, extending compassion and treating human beings with dignity and respect. Instead, we have seen an expeditious expulsion, which contradicts the Administration’s recognition of the ongoing political and health crises in Haiti within the last two months that have caused thousands to seek refuge elsewhere. The suppression of Black people, partially from the Caribbean or West Indies, despite our contributions through public service, local economy, and cultural footprint throughout this nation's history speaks volumes. We are here to make it clear that we will persist until these deportations cease and Haitian migrants are given the same opportunity to seek asylum like so many others who arrived here before them."
“The Haitian Evangelical Clergy Association is saddened and disappointed with the treatment that Haitian migrants are being subjected to in DelRio Texas," said Rev Dr. Samuel Nicolas, Senior Pastor and President of the Haitian Evangelical Clergy Association. "This treatment is cruel and barbaric, and no asylum seeker should be treated with such indignity. We pray that our local, state and federal authorities will act swiftly to correct this horrific situation.”

Jackson Rockingster, President of HABNET Chamber of Commerce and Chair of Little Haiti Bk said, "We are asking the Biden Administration to afford the Haitian migrants justice, equity and due process, because they are on U.S. soil. If this is too difficult for you to do, I simply ask that you adhere to the Golden Rule and treat people the way you would like to be treated."
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Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn covering Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood. She is currently the Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), and incoming Chair of the Task Force on Women's Issues. She serves on the following committees: Housing, Government Operations, Education, Banks, Health, and Higher Education. sits on Governor Hochul's Domestic Violence Advisory Council and Mayor De Blasio's MWBE Task Force.

As a current Assemblymember, District Leader, and Chair of Brooklyn Democratic Party, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn has been an outspoken advocate on issues concerning immigration, education, economic development, unemployment, education reform, health care access, senior citizen centers, affordable housing, school safety, women's and LGBTQ rights, as well as other issues affecting the quality of life in the community.  

Learn more about 
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn by visiting her websites: