HAITI: CORRESPONDENCE FROM LEGISLATOR TO

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000297 DEPARTMENT FOR S/ES-CR AND S/ES-O WHA/CAR PLEASE PASS TO NSC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL HA SUBJECT: HAITI: CORRESPONDENCE FROM LEGISLATOR TO PRESIDENT OBAMA ON IMMIGRATION POLICY ¶1. The following correspondence to U.S. President Barack Obama is in reference to the immigration policy toward Haiti, was received by Embassy on March 9. Text is an unofficial English translation of the French original. The Embassy will pouch the actual letter to WHA/CAR Desk Officer for distribution. ¶2. Begin Text: The Haitian people saluted with enthusiasm your rise to the presidency of the United States. Your leadership, your political talent, your open minded spirit allow, in effect, to be hopeful in the face of a financial crisis which upsets the developed economies and threatens the poor and precarious countries with total dismemberment and famine. Moreover, the announcement of the deportation by U. S. authorities of 30,000 Haitian migrants from your country has had the effect of a bomb in our hearts and minds. Thus I join my voice to that of thousands who already cry with confusion to observe helplessly as so many honest members of the human community will be abandoned to an unfortunate fate. I renew thus, Mr. President, the appeal that I made with my fellow Representatives on May 6, 2008, for granting all Haitians without a criminal record, and who are concerned with that measure, a temporary residence permit. We would not want that decision to aggravate the tragedies of massive migration, terrorism, absolute poverty, nuclear proliferation etc. May I also remind you, Mr. President that my country is still suffering from the catastrophic devastation brought about by four hurricanes during the summer of 2008. If necessary, it may please you, Mr. President, to invite a delegation of Members of Parliament to come and explain to the American Immigration authorities, the problems of Haiti. This would avoid that public opinion perceives your country as insensitive to the hardship of a country in ruins. As evidence, please find enclosed a copy of the aforementioned request, which seventy-five (75) of my colleagues support. Your task is immense Mr. President, and I, as well as the Haitian people, wish you much success. I do hope that the Haitians living in the United States will continue to enjoy the hospitality of your country. Please give my best regards to the First Lady. Jean Baptiste Anthony DUMONT Representative of the 48th Legislature ¶3. End Text. SANDERSON