PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Matt De Vlieger, 954.536.7461, matt@votebastien.com.
Marleine Bastien Applauds Obama Administration’s Actions to Extend TPS Application Deadline for Haitians
The Haitian-American Activist Acknowledges the Impact of Local Organizing, Sees the Announcement as a Call to Action
July 20, 2010
MIAMI, FL-The following is a statement from Marleine Bastien, a longtime Haitian-American activist and organizer in South Florida and candidate for U.S. Congress. Her nearly 30 years of organizing includes advocating for TPS for Haitians. Bastien co-chairs the Haiti Relief Task Force. She traveled to Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake to coordinate relief efforts. She is available to speak with members of the media.
“Last Monday, the Obama Administration did the right thing, by extending the deadline for Temporary Protection Status (TPS) application until January 2011 for Haitians in America.
Six months after the earthquake, Haiti is still in the midst of the worst crisis the country has ever faced.
The best way to partake in the rebuilding process is to help Haitians here. The work Haitians do here helps them send remittances to the country for rebuilding.
Extending TPS makes good humanitarian and strong economic sense. It will help the rebuilding process in Haiti, it will protect families, and it will keep many united here. At this stage, Haiti does not have the infrastructure to take back all those who have left the country for survival.
We must emphasize that TPS is only a temporary solution. A long term solution to helping Haitian refugees would include truly comprehensive immigration reform that trailblazes a path to citizenship.
On his visit to Miami, the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Alejandro Mayorkas said that the government’s action on this matter is a direct result of our community’s on the ground advocacy and that because of our work the government is able to do a better job of helping Haitians in the U.S.
Let that be a recognition of our good work and a call to action. We know that the rebuilding process is far from over and it will take the voices, contributions, organizing and hard work of many to promise a brighter future to the people of Haiti and all those impacted by the earthquake.”
About Marleine Bastien:
Marleine Bastien’s life has been one of service. Born in Haiti, she began volunteering at the age of 8 by teaching adults and children how to read and write and working in her father’s clinic. Bastien began her service in United States 29 years ago, by volunteering at the Haitian Refugee Center just 2 days after arriving in the country. A longtime Haitian-American activist and community organizer, she is the founder and current Executive Director of Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami, Inc/ Haitian Women of Miami and Vice Chair of the Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition. Marleine Bastien is running for Congress in Florida’s District 17, the seat being vacated by Congressman Kendrick Meek.
See what Marleine had to say to the Miami Herald in the video below:
Miami Herald TPS Extension Coverage
