DHS Announces Application of Expedited Removal to Haitian Earthquake Survivors

Statement by Michelle Brané, Director of the Migrant Rights and Justice Program

Announcement highlights need for reform of procedures for processing asylum-seekers at our border

This morning, the Department of Homeland Security announced that they will resume removals to Haiti and begin applying expedited removal to Haitian earthquake survivors seeking safety at our southern border.

Michelle Brané, Director of the Migrant Rights and Justice program at the Women’s Refugee Commission, responded with the following statement:

“Today’s announcement from DHS is a reminder that it is past time to reform our procedures to address the changing demographics of people arriving at our borders and requesting asylum or other forms of protection in the United States.

While our southern border is safer and more secure than ever before, many of those arriving today are seeking protection. We have an obligation to respond to the situation in Haiti, as well as the increase of Central American families fleeing violence in their home country, in a humane and responsible manner.

This means establishing processing centers along the border, as well as appropriate resources at ports of entry, so that these families can be considered for protection or humanitarian parole, as has been the procedure for the last five years, rather than being detained in inhumane, overcrowded detention centers.”

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