By Stephen Witt
Flatbush City Councilman Mathieu Eugene hosted a press conference at City Hall to celebrate the federal governments’ recent decision to fast track visas for Haitians to come to America if they have eligible relatives of United States citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Dubbed the Haitian Family Reunification Parole (HFRP) Program, the initiative would allow Haitians that meet the family criteria to gain entrance to the United States and apply for work permits, but they will not receive permanent resident status any earlier. The Department of Homeland Security, which administrates the program, is not accepting applications at this time, but announced it will provide full program details before the end of the year.
“As someone who has been calling for the creation of an HFRP Program for several years, I know that this opportunity will save lives and reunite family members who have been separated for far too long,” said Eugene. “Without this program, many Haitian families have been separated for five, ten, and even sometimes fifteen years as they waited for visas to reunite them with loved ones.”
While the city council has no power to pass federal immigration-related legislation, Eugene lead an effort to pass a council resolution in support of HFRP, and also worked closely with Flatbush Congresswoman Yvette Clarke to make sure the issue had President Obama’s attention. Clarke worked on the issue with U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and the two lawmakers initiated a letter to Obama asking him to implement the program.
“Let us remember the work of families and children around the United States, especially in Brooklyn, to achieve the reunification of these families,” said Clarke who attended the celebration at City Hall. “Finally, the husbands who were separated from their wives and the parents who were separated from the children will have the opportunity to enter the United States to start their pursuit of the American Dream.”
Clarke added she is hopeful that the program will form the basis for a broader policy that will allow families from around the world to avoid unnecessary delays in reuniting here in the United States.
Also on hand for the celebration were Council Members Jumaane Williams and Laurie Cumbo, and New York State Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein.
