Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Hosts Stakeholder Roundtable on Haiti’s Current Humanitarian and Insecurity Crises

MIAMI, FL – On May 3, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20) hosted a roundtable on Haiti’s current humanitarian and insecurity crises with the Ambassador of Canada to Haiti, Sébastien Carrière, and other key stakeholders in the Haitian Diaspora community. The roundtable comes after various discussion held at the multinational level around an intervention on the ground in Haiti. Haiti’s insecurity level continues to escalate with the United Nations categorizing it as a human rights emergency. Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who is the only Haitian American in Congress, is calling for a time-bound intervention support force to address the current humanitarian and insecurity crises plaguing the country.

“As a Haitian American, it pains me deeply to see Haiti plagued by chaos, battling instability and growing violence,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. “This roundtable, held in partnership with Ambassador Carrière, helped explore solutions to the complex, intricate, and deeply sensitive problems that Haiti is confronting. It also helped identify best ways forward for the Haitian community here in the United States. I plan to bring these invaluable insights back with me to Washington and continue to pursue legislative efforts that address the suffering faced by those in Haiti.”

“Haiti’s problems should be solved by Haitians, but currently, Haiti does not have the necessary tools to do that. Given the urgency of the situation, Haiti requires a short-term intervention to promote and ensure stability. The Biden Administration is cautious on how to engage on the ground, given the history, but time is running out. Waiting for consensus among the Haitian Diaspora on a response is costly and unprecedented. We must combat the narrative that the Diaspora does not want the international community’s support. The Diaspora is united, contrary to popular belief. Now more than ever. And it’s our responsibility as neighbors and allies of Haiti, as Americans to respond to this humanitarian fight. This is not the time to turn our backs. Lives are at stake,” added Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick.

“Ongoing insecurity in Haiti also underscores the urgent need to pursue an immigration policy that addresses the root causes of migration. Crime and poverty are forcing desperate Haitians to flee and arrive at our borders. Congress must promote stability in Haiti before migrants are forced to leave their loved ones,” addedCongresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick.

The roundtable provided an open discussion with the Haitian Diaspora community on the current state of Haiti’s economic, health, humanitarian, and insecurity crises. Attendees included leadership from the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, the Haitian American Foundation for Democracy / Ayitya Diaspora Collective, the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce, the Haitian Bridge Alliance, the Haitian Ladies Network, and other key representatives from the Haitian Diaspora.

Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick recently introduced H.R. 1684, the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2023, with House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY). The legislation — which was reported favorably out of committee — would ensure that Congress receives regular reports on the role that the Haitian economic and political elite play in masterminding and providing support for Haitian gangs. The legislation is supported by Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael T. McCaul (R-TX) and Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL), Chairwoman of the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, Migration, and International Economic Policy Subcommittee.

Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick is a permanent member of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs. She proudly serves as co-chair of the Haiti Caucus and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Haiti Working Group.

For photos and a recap video of the roundtable, please click here.