Haitian immigrants trying to navigate the various government resources and services now have a comprehensive guide thanks to City Comptroller Scott Stringer who released his “Immigrant Rights and Services Manual” in the Haitian Creole-language today at the Caton Avenue Caribbean Flea Market on Flatbush and Caton avenues.
The 70-page guide to city, state and federal services has previously been released in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and is being translated into a number of other languages. The manual outlines the real-life impact of recent legislation and policy changes, such as IDNYC, the new municipal identification card, and Local Laws 58 and 59, which restrict the city’s cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“I am thrilled that the Haitian Creole-speaking community will now have its own edition of my Immigration Rights and Services Manual,” said Stringer. “All New Yorkers must have the tools they need to succeed in our city, and this guide is an important resource for our entire city, providing essential health, legal, social, and education information for all five boroughs. New York has welcomed and celebrated immigrant diversity for more than 100 years, and this manual is an important part of that tradition.”
Joining Stringer for the release of the manual were local Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte and City Councilman Mathieu Eugene – both Haitian-Americans.
“I am so happy to see that this manual is now being made available in Haitian Creole”, said Bichotte. “The information contained within the manual is invaluable and now the Creole speaking constituents in the district will have access to it. Just drawing on my own experience, knowing where to call and where to go to gain access to the resources that you need is so important. I wish such a resource existed when my mother and I needed it most. I applaud the New York City Comptroller Scott for making this resource available.”
