16141: invitation (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Valerie Menos <menosval@shu.edu>


July 16, 2003

On every level, ranging from interdiction at sea, to expedited deportation,
current U.S. policy unfairly discriminates against Haitians asylum seekers and
asylees. TransAfrica Forum’s Haiti Initiative, One Standard!, is aimed at
examining and challenging this U.S. policy to assure just and equal treatment
for Haitians.

I am writing to invite you to join in our efforts to examine and develop a
strategy challenge U.S. immigration policy toward Haitians. This meeting will
be held at the TransAfrica Forum Building in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, July
24, 2003 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Each year war, famine, and civil and political unrest displace millions of
people around the world. Some fearing death and/or torture are forced to escape
their countries. The United States considers such persons for admission into
this country as refugees of special humanitarian concern. The U.S. policy
toward refugees has proven to be an effective tool that gives certain asylum
seekers a place of refuge. But not Haitians.

On April 17, 2003, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft overruled a Board of
Immigration Appeals decision and ruled that immigrants can be jailed
indefinitely without bond when a potential national security risk exists. In
the opinion, directed at a case involving a Haitian asylee, Ashcroft reasoned
that such detention would (1) deter mass migrations by sea; (2) prohibit
terrorists from using Haiti as a staging point to enter the United States; and
(3) free up U.S. Coast Guard (“U.S.C.G.”) capacity and capabilities now focused
on interdicting Haitians at sea. The ruling means that Haitians, and indeed
broad categories of migrants, can be jailed without hearings and without the
option of being released on bond.
This recent decision is one of a long list of discriminatory policies,
(including policies regarding the application process, detention, release on
bond, access to attorneys, and due process). It is our hope that this meeting
will launch the development of a multi-level strategy to change U.S. policy
towards Haitians.
If you have any questions, or need additional information, please call Valerie
Menos at 202-223-1960, extension 134, respectively. If you need to call in via
conference call, the call in number is 1-858-300-3030 and the participant
access code is 13579

Valerie M. Menos
Haitian Issues/Haiti Project
TransAfrica Forum
1426 21st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
phone: 202-223-1960
cell: 973-723-3045
fax: 202-223-1966
menosval@shu.edu