July 20, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sabrina L. Rezzy
rezzys@nyassembly.gov
718-840-0428
Letter to President Biden From New York Haitian-American Leaders and Organizations With Respect to Haiti
Brooklyn, NY -- In a letter published today, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, together with state and local leaders, urged the Biden administration to create an easier pathway for Haitians seeking political asylum by lifting the refugee admission ceiling; temporarily halt the deportation of Haitian migrants from the U.S.; and supply the people of Haiti with humanitarian aid in the form of food assistance and additional COVID-19 vaccine doses.

"There is a crisis in Haiti that demands our immediate attention as Americans, and begs the continued action of your leadership," the letter, which is also signed by Assemblymembers Michaelle Solages (AD-22) and Kimberly Jean-Pierre (AD-11), Council Member Farah N. Louis (CD-45) and Democratic nominees for city council, Rita Joseph (CD-40) and Chi Osse (CD-36), begins.

"Haitian-Americans served en masse as health care workers and frontline essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic," the authors continue. "Now is the time to give back to our Haitian-American community. Now is the time to protect those who protected us, by ensuring that the relatives of Haitian-Americans living abroad, receive the humanitarian protections necessary to save their lives and livelihoods."

"The United States is a nation built by immigrants in pursuit of freedom, and the promise of a better life. Today, Americans have an opportunity to help the people of Haiti escape persecution. We ask that you employ the full powers of your office to raise the refugee admission ceiling from where it currently stands to help accommodate Haitian applicants; temporarily halt the deportation of Haitian migrants from the U.S.; and supply the people of Haiti with humanitarian aid in the form of food assistance and additional COVID-19 doses."

Advocates who signed on include: Little Haiti BK, Inc., Life of Hope Church, HABNET Chamber of Commerce, FS Nostrand Merchant Association, Haitian American Business Network, Haitian American Caucus, Haitian Americans United for Progress, CUNY Haitian Studies Institute at Brooklyn College, Haiti Cultural Exchange and Haitian American Nurses Association.
Watch Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn on Rev. Al Sharpton's show, Politics Nation on MSNBC.  Bichotte Hermelyn advocates for a unified Haitian government following the assassination of Haiti's president.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn covering Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood. She is currently the Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), and serves on the following committees: Housing, Government Operations, Education, Banks, Health, and Higher Education. She is also a member of the Task Force on Women's Issues and sits on Governor Cuomo's Domestic Violence Advisory Council and Mayor De Blasio's MWBE Task Force.

As a current Assemblymember, District Leader, and Chair of Brooklyn Democratic Party, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn has been an outspoken advocate on issues concerning immigration, education, economic development, unemployment, education reform, health care access, senior citizen centers, affordable housing, school safety, women's and LGBTQ rights, as well as other issues affecting the quality of life in the community.  

Learn more about 
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn by visiting her websites: