Rally Supports Haitian Immigrants With Temporary Protected Status
A rally in Mattahan to support Haitian who might lose their temporary protected status (WBZ-TV)
President Donald Trump has until November 6 to extend the status to citizens of Nicaragua and Honduras. The deadline for Haitians is November. 23.“I’m a student. I’m graduating in about six months. And getting deported would actually stop me from getting my Bachelor’s degree as an accountant so its a whole lot of things we would be deprived of after we’ve worked so hard to accomplish them,” said Marvens Leconte, who was at the rally.
Marvens Leconte (WBZ-TV)
The program was designed for immigrants from countries where natural disasters, war, or other factors make returning unsafe.Without the extension, those residents would have to leave by January.The State Department says conditions in their homeland has improved enough for them to return.Many at the rally said Haiti is still recovering from an earthquake, a hurricane, and a cholera epidemic.“It won’t be safe for us to send 58,000 people back to Haiti right now with everything that is going on so we want to make our voices heard to say that those people deserve an extension because it will take time for Haiti to rebuild,” explained Geralde Gabeau, a rally organizer.The Haitian community is hoping for an 18-month delay.By: CBS Boston | November 5, 2017
In the news: Roudnie Célestin
Roudnie Célestin was appointed Mattapan neighborhood liaison and citywide liaison for the Haitian community within the mayor’s Civic Engagement Cabinet. In this role, Célestin will work as an advocate to both communities, and will serve as a local representative of the mayor’s office.As the Mattapan and Haitian community liaison, Célestin will serve as the primary contact for constituents looking to connect with the mayor’s office, and will facilitate the delivery of services in collaboration with city departments.Célestin was born in Pétion-Ville, Haiti and has lived in Boston since 2003. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in ethics, social & political philosophy with honors from the University of Massachusetts Boston, after earning an Associate of Arts in communications from MassBay Community College.Prior to joining the Office of Neighborhood Services, Célestin worked in health care as a practice assistant at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, where she assisted the nursing director in strategic operational planning for various programs and clinic flow. She taught Haitian Creole within the African Language Program at Harvard University, where she provided students with literacy skills and cultural training. Célestin also served as a volunteer case manager at the Haitian Multi-Service Center in Boston, where she advocated for clients and helped organize community outreach events. She currently serves as a volunteer language interpreter for the Political Asylum Immigration Representation Project.Célestin has a native fluency in Haitian Creole, French, English, and is conversational in Spanish. Her extensive experience in working with people has prepared her to deliver quality service to the Mattapan and Haitian communities.“I am extremely excited and honored to join the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services,” said Célestin. “Mayor Walsh and his administration provide excellent city services to the Mattapan and Haitian constituencies, and I look forward to ensuring inclusion, access and opportunity for all residents and working for the people of Boston.”The Office of Neighborhood Services encourages and facilitates citizen input and participation through service requests, neighborhood meetings, mailings and emergency responses. To report non-emergency issues to the city, residents are encouraged to connect with BOS:311 by dialing 3-1-1 or by downloading the free BOS:311 app.By: The Bay State Banner | September 28, 2017