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Campaign Unavailable We're sorry, this alert is no longer available. If you would like to learn more about ways you can take action, please visit National Coalition for Haitian Rights.The short explanation of this alert was: In his Christmas greeting last week, President George W. Bush enjoined the people of America to be compassionate towards others. "Christmastime," he said, "reminds each of us that we have a duty to love our neighbor just as we would like to be loved ourselves." Unfortunately many Haitians seeking a temporary safe haven away from the strife, political violence and floods that have beset their country this year have faced the harsh reality of tough United States policies. Reaching out to others, President Bush told us, is a responsibility that comes with the many blessings we enjoy. Please tell President Bush to let compassion guide his response to Haitian emigres' plight: 1. Given the gross human rights violations committed by government and anti-government forces, the almost complete collapse of Haitian state authority and the ongoing political strife, the US should provide due consideration to Haitians' asylum claims instead of routinely denying them. This would avoid tragic incidents such as the death in US custody last month of 81-year old Baptist Minister Joseph Dantica shortly after he presented himself to airport inspectors and expressed the wish for asylum in the US in order to stay longer than the other times he was admitted into the country. 2. Provide Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to non-immigrant Haitians in the US because of the devastating floods and political violence that have seriously endangered Haiti's stability and development prospects. During the next 18 months, these Haitians can do more for their homeland through remittances and hard work than by joining the throngs of jobless and destitute Haitians living on international charity. 3. Be lenient towards Haitian refugees who, but for minor technicalities, qualify for the benefits of the 1998 Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA), yet might be uprooted and separated from loved ones. 4. Suspend the forcible expulsion of Haitians who languish in jail awaiting deportation, like Pfc. Joseph Louis Jeune who has twice risked his life in Iraq for the US and has spent Christmas deprived of his liberty, away from his US citizen spouse and child on an aggravated felony charge.
Thank you very much for your prompt attention to this very important matter.
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