Ricardo Devil, Independent Journalist.
Chance Alternative, a Haitian advocacy organization for deportees issues, believes that the US policies on deportation are currently insufficiently protecting the rights of individuals that are being deported. The organization knows of people that were deported while on probation, although they did not violate their probation, who are mentally disabled or suffering from severe illnesses.
Deportation is the removal of any non-citizen from a country to his or her native country, for reasons of either criminal activity or being without legal status.
The organization’s Executive Director, Michelle Karshan stated that at present Chance Alternative is party to a lawsuit against the US being brought before the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC. The lawsuit challenges the unjust policies and practices of the U.S. against lawful permanent residents convicted of minor offenses.
Chance Alternative knows of many examples. A young man on probation of age 25 from Rhodes Island, Shyler Registre, was deported in 1999, although he did not violate his probation. He was serving a two years probation and was following all the procedures ordered. During one monthly visit to the probation officer, INS awaited his arrival, and deported him. Read more ...
Eben Ezer de la Redemption primary school which objective is to educate the deprived children functions everyday from 7:30 to 12:00. The school is situated in Lintho 1, one of the unhealthy slums of Cite Soleil (a shantytown situated on the north west side of Port-au-Prince with 300000 inhabitants).
Founded in 1978 by late Andre Lindor, this school is confronted today to numerous difficulties: dark and cramped rooms, leaked roof, dilapidated walls and various problems.
The school, divided into 8 classrooms (first to 6th grade) provides an academic formation to the children of the street merchants and the unemployed of Cite Soleil.
According to Sylvine Lindor co-principal and daughter of the founder, the total number of pupils have dropped from 214 in 1999 to 186 in 2001. And this due to economic hardship, she said. Read more ...
Chedeline, Josiette and Lovely are three girls of 11 and 10. They make their living into the street of Cap-Haitien in the north of Haiti at about a hundred kilometers from Ennery their home village.
These girls met at Rue A and are beggars. Insulted by certain passers-by as well as a sign of pity from others, they have to face the daily living and so far they have counted on the providence.
In spite of their young age, they struggle and survive to have the right to the sole thing that matters for them: the daily bread. Read more ...