About 1,100 Haitian immigrants have come to Rhode Island in the past two years, according to Rev. Baha Sadr, national refugee coordinator for the R.I. Department of Human Services.
The number of Haitian immigrants entering the country legally is increasing nationwide, thanks in part to President Biden’s 2023 Humanitarian Parole Program. In August, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released data revealing that more than 210,000 Haitians were paroled and entered the United States through the program.
However, immigration is only the first step in an often difficult adjustment process. In Rhode Island, nonprofits and other community organizations are providing vital support during the transition.
Bernard Georges, executive director of New Bridges For Haitian Success, who immigrated to the United States in 2000, said Haitians have a long history of immigrating to the United States because of the country’s “violence, political instability, “Poverty,” he said. . The assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 and the infiltration of gang-related violence, which led to the closure of the country’s main international airport for nearly three months, worsened the situation in the country, he said. Natural disasters are also a constant challenge for Haitians.
After Hurricane Matthew, Newbridges teams traveled to remote areas of Haiti to provide medical assistance. Georges said the organization was also able to send an ambulance full of medical supplies to the state thanks to a donation from Gov. Daniel McKee.
“When I came here in 2000, there were no Haitian organizations to help me navigate the American system,” Georges said. His father, who immigrated to the United States before him, first lived in Florida, but moved to Providence after co-workers (some of whom were illegal immigrants) told him that “Rhode Island was safer” for Haitian immigrants. moved to
But most of the work New Bridges does has to do with supporting Haitian immigrants in Rhode Island by providing a shared space where they can access all kinds of resources. Georges said more than 3,000 Haitians use the organization’s services.
“When Haitians come here, they often have nothing other than a desire to work and a desire to take advantage of the economic opportunities in America,” Georges said.
But for many New Bridges customers, finding work is difficult.
The New Bridges client, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, said it took him five months to find work after arriving in the U.S. in 2023 through the Humanitarian Parole Program.
Additionally, he said he has faced discrimination from both customers and management in some of the jobs he has found, including as a ride-share driver and stock clerk at a chain store. He said he often ate in his car because he felt so lonely at chain restaurants. Eventually, he decided to quit his job.
His brother and mother have both lived in the United States for over 20 years and have been able to provide financial security while he works with New Bridges to secure a new job.
When I asked him if America was what he thought it was, he said, “No.”
Roland Marchal, the client’s caseworker, said he has helped thousands of immigrants since he started working in New Bridges in March. Typically, she supports about 30 people each day, filling out employment forms, finding housing and employment opportunities for clients, and helping clients learn about English as a Second Language programs and immigration services offered by the organization. I’m trying.
The language barrier can be especially difficult for newcomers trying to find work in Rhode Island, as English is not taught in Haitian schools. The organization’s ESL classes are particularly popular, with more than 40 students currently enrolled in the program.
“The Haitians who come here are coming with a lot of skills, maybe doctors or engineers, who can go back to Haiti and get other highly educated jobs,” said New Bridges board member Valerie DeRogers. There are people who were there,” he said.
But Desrosiers added that when many Haitians come to the United States, their experiences are often underestimated. In her experience, Haitian immigrants are “expected to act like they’re uneducated.”
“As soon as they cross the border, their experience is basically erased,” DeRogers said. “It has a psychological effect on humans.”
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Moriyah Haitian Seventh-day Adventist Church provides both support and space for community gatherings to the Haitian community in Rhode Island.
Pastor Age Betiak explains that the church offers services in English, Creole and French with the aim of “supporting people of all backgrounds to come and share their faith and activities.” did.
He added that during the busiest service of the year, the church served as many as 300 people. During the winter months, the church hosts clothing donation drives, providing items such as gloves, hats, coats, and boots to Haitian community members in need.
In addition to the Pawtucket location, the church also has a mission in Haiti. “We always try to keep two groups,” Agee said. “While we’re here, we’re always trying to get people back (home).”
Georges pointed to the harm of similar negative expectations that are widespread about Haitians. Georges said it was “hurtful” to hear former President Donald Trump’s claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, kidnapped and ate their neighbors’ pets. “It hurt,” he said.
New Bridges also supports immigration services for its clients and is currently working with the City of Providence and the Mayor’s Office to raise funds to hire more attorneys to represent clients in immigration hearings.
The organization also aims to expand these efforts, including working with Roger Williams University School of Law to provide a legal clinic within the center. “Instead of the one or two lawyers working here now, we want law students to help our clients get legal documents faster.”
Although New Bridges prioritizes Haitians in the Rhode Island community, DeRogers emphasized that the organization stands ready to help anyone in need.
For example, since May 2020, the organization has hosted weekly food drives in the community. According to Georges, more than 400 people visit each day.
“I know the name of the organization is New Bridges for Haiti’s Success,” Derosies said. “You might think we only serve Haitians, but when you come on a Saturday, you see the whole community participating in the food drive.”
“Our job is to bring people together to look at ways that we can actually have a really big presence in the state,” DeLozies said. “Haitians are not hidden. We are on the front lines of our community.”
Sanai Rashid
Sanai Rashid grew up in Brooklyn and currently lives in Long Island, New York. As an English and history expert, she is always looking for ways to spread unheard stories and history. When she’s not writing, she can be found visiting Providence’s new pizza place or buying another stuffed whale.
