12052: Urgent Action on Haitian Asylum Seekers -- May 17 Call-in Day!!! (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Dina Paul Parks <DPParks@nchr.org>

URGENT ACTION

National Call-In Day Friday, May 17, 2002, for
Haitian Asylum Seekers Unjustly Detained in Miami!

WHAT:

Haitians are being singled out for discriminatory treatment under a targeted
detention order in Miami, Florida, where about 250 Haitian asylum seekers -
including some children - remain in detention pursuant to a new policy of
the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). While the INS permits
asylum seekers of virtually all other nationalities with credible claims to
be released from detention in Miami, since December, only Haitians are being
detained under a specific order from Washington.

ADVOCATE:

National Call-In Day: Light up the switchboard of the White House on FRIDAY,
MAY 17, 2002. Call President George W. Bush and tell him to stop the INS
from using detention to punish vulnerable asylum seekers. President Bush is
going to Miami on Monday, May 20, to help his brother in his gubernatorial
re-election campaign.  Ahead of that trip, TOMORROW, we need to make sure
that he hears from us about this situation.


How to Participate in the National Call-In to President Bush on Behalf of
Detained Haitian Asylum Seekers!

How to call-in:

	Simply dial 202-456-1111 and follow the voice instructions.


What to expect:

	You will be forwarded to one of President Bush's comment
operators. You will leave your message with this person. You 	may be put
on hold, so be patient, and wait for the next 	available operator.


What to say:

	Be sure to share your name and from where you are calling.  Be
prepared to share your address and phone as well, as they may 	send you a
response to your comment.


Call-In Text:

I am calling to respectfully encourage President Bush to grant parole from
detention to a group of around 250 Haitian men, women and children asylum
seekers who are being detained under a discriminatory "no-release" policy
based on their nationality.

The asylum seekers have all passed credible fear. In the past, the INS Miami
District, implemented a fair release policy toward Haitians and other asylum
seekers that favored release to family or community sponsors once the asylum
seeker demonstrated a credible fear of persecution.

This current policy that uses the threat of detention against valid asylum
seekers is both illegal and unacceptable.

Repercussions of the unnecessary detention include overcrowding in the
prisons and many asylum seekers going before the immigration judge without
legal help or representation.

As the world's leader in exemplifying the ideals of freedom, democracy, and
protection of human rights, we must ensure that our policies do not work
against those facing severe persecution in their home country and deter them
from exercising their legal right to seek asylum on our shores.

Please instruct the Miami INS District to restore its fair and equitable
release practice for Haitians and end the discriminatory detention policy of
asylum seekers!