Statement of Jocelyn McCalla, Executive Director
National Coalition for Haitian Rights

New York, November 19, 2004 -- We join the Dantica family today in mourning the tragic death of Reverend Joseph Dantica on November 3, 2004. The elderly Baptist Minister probably never imagined that he would find himself one day behind bars in the United States. Although the US had become home for many of his relatives, Haiti was the home that he left only for brief visits abroad. But on October 24, he got caught in the terrifying crossfire of the political violence and lawlessness that has gripped Haiti since September. He suffered threats to his life and was almost killed. Together with his son Maxo, he fled to the United States on October 29, seeking shelter and comfort in the arms of his family. Instead upon arrival, he faced the hellish nightmare Haitian refugees before him have confronted when seeking asylum in the US: held overnight at Miami International Airport, placed in detention at Krome North, isolated from family, friends and legal help, facing an Immigration bureaucracy that from the top down has been hostile to Haitians’ claims of fear of persecution. He was pronounced dead on November 3.

The Department of Homeland Security has denied any responsibility for Mr. Dantica’s death. Yet, DHS has failed to explain why Mr. Dantica was not admitted and allowed to reunite with his family right away. DHS has failed to explain why Mr. Dantica was not allowed to visit with his family while in detention. And DHS has failed to explain why an 81-year old Baptist Minister who had visited the US several times since the 1970s constituted a threat to national security.

The reasons for the disparate treatment is however obvious. Haitians have been singled out by the US government for harsh treatment. Thus Haitians have the lowest rate of approval on asylum applications. Haitians are subject to lengthy detention in the US. Although conditions in Haiti warrant a humane US government response, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has not been extended to them. Yet Hondurans and Nicaraguans have enjoyed TPS since an earthquake hit their country in 1999. And Cuban asylum-seekers can waltz their way to freedom once they file an application for asylum in this country. It is therefore not surprising that Mr. Dantica’s relatives in Haiti were not granted a visa to join their relatives in mourning the death of a loved one. It is nonetheless callous and outrageous.

We call and will continue to call on the Justice Department to conduct a full and impartial investigation into the tragic death of Mr. Dantica. We urge a review and overhaul of the policy that singles out Haitian refugees and immigrants for discriminatory treatment. Non-immigrant Haitians in the US deserve and should be granted TPS.

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Send a letter now to President George W. Bush demanding Justice for Dantica and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians!

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NCHR Statements on Dantica and TPS:

• New York, November 19, 2004 -- Reverend Joseph Dantica Did Not Have to Die in Immigration Detention. It’s Time to End Policies That Single Out Haitians for Mean Treatment.

• New York, November 19, 2004 -- Backgrounder on Human Rights Conditions in Haiti.

• New York. November 17, 2004 -- Haitian Asylum-Seeker Dies in Immigration Custody. Haitian Rights Coalition Calls for Full Investigation.

Timeline: Events Preceding Dantica's Tragic Death Events Preceding The Death of the Rev. Joseph N. Dantica

Other Statements:

• Human Rights First: Baptist Minister Dies in US Immigration Jail

• Amnesty International: Urge Investigation into the Death of rev. Joseph Dantica

• Church World Service: Detention and Death of 81-year old Pastor Appalling

Dantica and TPS in the Media:

• NY Daily News, Nov. 28, 2004 -- A Death Bares America's Biased Policy

• Associated  Press, Nov. 27, 2004 -- Death of Man, 81, in US Custody, Another Haitian Tragedy.

• New York Times, Nov. 24, 2004 -- A Very Haitian Story, by Edwidge Danticat.

• New York Newsday, Nov. 21, 2004 -- Rev. Dantica, Haitian Who Died in Fed Custody.

• New York Post, Nov. 21, 2004 -- Tears, Rage Over Haitian Refugee Who Died in Fed Jail.

• New York Times, Nov. 21, 2004 -- New York Was Our City on the Hill, by Edwidge Danticat

• The Guardian, Nov. 20, 2004 -- Preacher's Death Prompts Protest.

• Associated Press, Nov. 19, 2004 -- Family, Activists Seek Answers in Death of Haitian Minister

• New York Daily News, Nov. 19, 2004 -- Fury Over Haitian Author's Kin.

• St. Petersburg Times, Nov. 19, 2004 -- Haitian Pastor Dies on US Doorstep.

• South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Nov. 17, 2004 -- Human Rights Groups Urge Probe Into Death of Haitian in US Custody.

• Associated Press, Nov. 17, 2004 -- Probe Sought in Haitian Detainee's Death.

• Miami Herald, Nov. 17, 2004 -- Probe Requested in Death of Haitian Man in Federal Custody

• Miami Herald, Nov. 14, 2004 -- Twice a Victim, First in Haiti then the US

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