FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Haitian Coalition Calls for Broad-based Legalization Program
Contact: Dina
Paul Parks 212-337-0005,
x11
NEW YORK,
September 6,
2001 -- The
National
Coalition for
Haitian Rights
(NCHR) is calling
on President Bush
and the
Administration to
enact a
broad-based
legalization
program. This
plan must cover
undocumented
workers of all
nationalities
currently
contributing to
the labor pool
and economy of
the United
States.
“We believe
that the US
government can
and should rise
to the challenge
issued yesterday
by Mexican
President Vicente
Fox to enact a
plan by
year’s
end,” said
Jocelyn McCalla,
NCHR’s
Executive
Director.
“Mr.
Fox’s
statements,
although focused
on the plight of
illegal Mexican
workers, are
applicable to all
undocumented
immigrants in
this country,
Haitians among
them. This
segment of our
community works
in the
agricultural and
service sector
jobs that most
Americans do not
want. They do
not deserve to be
relegated to an
underground
economy simply
because they do
not have a
President Fox
advocating on
their behalf.
“
Fierce opposition
from the
conservative wing
of the Republican
party has caused
the
administration to
backtrack from
its original
proposal this
summer of an
amnesty program
for illegal
Mexican workers.
We want President
Bush to know,
however, that we
take him at his
word and expect
him to
demonstrate the
necessary courage
to stand up to
those who would
continue denying
the reality of
the American
labor market and
its needs. He
must not waver
under pressure.
Indeed, we urge
him to seize this
historic
opportunity to
establish a
comprehensive,
just, and
forward-thinking
immigration
policy that
treats all, not
some, newcomers
with the utmost
fairness and
respect.
At a minimum,
such a policy
would include:
-
a broad,
non-nationality-based
legalization
program for
workers
already in the
United States;
and
-
a guest worker
program for
seasonal
workers with
safeguards
against abuse,
coercion or
exploitation
from
employers.
“As
demonstrated by
the efficiency
with which he got
his $1.3 trillion
tax cut approved,
the President is
very capable of
turning his
dreams into
reality in a
short amount of
time, “
added Mr.
McCalla.
“We believe
that if the
administration is
truly committed
to enacting just
relief for that
population of
workers that
forms a
cornerstone of
the American
economy, it will
find the means to
quickly make that
a reality as
well.”
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