URGENT ACTION
National Call-In Day Friday, May 17, 2002, for Haitian
Asylum Seekers Unjustly Detained in Miami!
WHAT:
Haitians are being singled out for discriminatory treatment
under a targeted detention order in Miami, Florida,
where about 250 Haitian asylum seekers--including some
children--remain in detention pursuant to a new policy
of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
While the INS permits asylum seekers of virtually all
other nationalities with credible claims to be released
from detention in Miami, since December, only Haitians
are being detained under a specific order from Washington.
ADVOCATE:
National Call-In Day: Light up the switchboard of the
White House on FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2002. Call President
George W. Bush and tell him to stop the INS from using
detention to punish vulnerable asylum seekers. President
Bush is going to Miami on Monday, May 20, to help his
brother in his gubernatorial reelection campaign. Ahead
of that trip, TOMORROW, we need to make sure that he
hears from us about this situation.
How to Participate in the National Call-In to President
Bush on Behalf of Detained Haitian Asylum Seekers!
How to call-in:
Simply dial 202-456-1111 and follow the voice instructions.
What to expect:
You will be forwarded to one of President Bush's comment
operators. You will leave your message with this person.
You may be put on hold, so be patient, and wait for
the next available operator.
What to say:
Be sure to share your name and from where you are calling.
Be prepared to share your address and phone as well,
as they may send you a response to your comment.
Call-In Text:
I am calling to respectfully encourage President Bush
to grant parole from detention to a group of around
250 Haitian men, women and children asylum seekers who
are being detained under a discriminatory "no-release"
policy based on their nationality.
The asylum seekers have all passed credible fear. In
the past, the INS Miami District, implemented a fair
release policy toward Haitians and other asylum seekers
that favored release to family or community sponsors
once the asylum seeker demonstrated a credible fear
of persecution.
This current policy that uses the threat of detention
against valid asylum seekers is both illegal and unacceptable.
Repercussions of the unnecessary detention include
overcrowding in the prisons and many asylum seekers
going before the immigration judge without legal help
or representation.
As the world's leader in exemplifying the ideals of
freedom, democracy, and protection of human rights,
we must ensure that our policies do not work against
those facing severe persecution in their home country
and deter them from exercising their legal right to
seek asylum on our shores.
Please instruct the Miami INS District to restore its
fair and equitable release practice for Haitians and
end the discriminatory detention policy of asylum seekers!
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