The Family Action Network Movement (FANM) held a news conference in Miami on Tuesday to condemn last week's deportations to Haiti, despite civil unrest in the nation.
FANM's executive director was joined by community and faith leaders, immigrant rights advocates as well as elected officials of North Lauderdale and North Miami among others.
The press conference is focused on the Biden administration's recent deportation of 52 Haitian nationals to Haiti despite the escalating violence and humanitarian emergency in the country.
Marleine Bastien, Executive Director of Family Action Network Movement, said she could not believe the administration's decision to resume deportations at this point.
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“This decision by Biden administration is repulsive, it is heartless, it is indefensible, and it is unconscionable. And I might add that it is even criminal,” Bastien said during the press conference.
Bastien also announced that FANM is asking for the evacuation order in Haiti to cover those under the Haitian Family Reunification Parole.
The United Nations has reported that more than 360,000 Haitians have been displaced, while 5.5 million are in need of humanitarian aid.
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Attorney Ira Kurzban also spoke at the press conference and called for a Haitian refugee program similar to the Cuban Refugee Program that is already in place.
FANM and several local officials renewed calls for Temporary Protected Status re-designation for Haiti. North Lauderdale Mayor Samson Borgelin, a TPS recipient, emphasized that it is a vital safeguard.
North Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Joseph briefly spoke Tuesday morning as well, calling on the Biden administration to simply do the right thing.
