LOS ANGELES, CA – SEIU Local 2015 President April Verrett released the following statement regarding recent news around Hatian migrants at the U.S. border:
“So many around the World are experiencing dangerous conditions in their home country at this time, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas’ announcement that the Biden Administration will extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti is the right first step. Now, we call on the deportation of individuals seeking refuge to end. This latest example of incidents underscores how horrific the state of affairs are on the border. The video footage of U.S. Border Patrol agents interacting with Haitians seeking refuge is reminiscent of horrific images we’ve seen from enslaved Africans during the era of American slavery. We, as Americans, should always welcome all those seeking refuge from extreme, threatening situations. To our members with relatives and loved ones seeking refuge, we stand by and with you. We will continue to speak up, because everyone should have the opportunity to seek safety in the United States.”