Some congressman from FL are asking for Haitians to be given temporary status, what do you think about that? See details.

Why not? I think “securing our borders” is stupid. I have no beef with Cuba. In fact, I hate that the U.S. government restricts my travel there. So much for free country.

I do not think we should grant temporary status. I think it would mean a flood of people coming when they should be staying and working to fix up their broken country.

@lilikoi It’s not about a beef with Cuba, it is about they get legal status easier than other nations. But, I see you are fine with letting everyone in. That would be a lot of people coming over. I am not just talking about Cuba and Haiti, I mean we would have people from many many places coming if it was wide open and easy. I agree that we should be able to fly to Cuba, for a few years in the 90’s you could.

I attended an emergency Florida Department of Health meeting yesterday on this very subject. We are told to prepare for between ten to fifty thousand children to be spread throughout Florida institutions in various metropolitan areas. There is not enough infrastructure left in Haiti to deliver medical care to these kids. These children will want to go home to their families, and their families will want them back. There will be orphans. We are discussing using Catholic Charities’ Pedro Pan model if permanent integration/assimilation is decided upon in the cases of orphaned children.

@Espiritus_Corvus I think bring the children over is fine, just as long as they go back to Haiti instead of the whole family coming over. Having children there who cannot help out in the rebuilding will just get in the way and make it harder.

@Espiritus_Corvus Thank you for the new information. I did not know the plan was children for medical care. I think that is different.

I should add, this is the time of year that Haitians come over anyway (waters are calmer, hurrican season is over). They take that dangerous trip, many times on no more then what we would call a raft to come to America. No matter what I would guess that more than usual will be landing on our shores legal or not.

I was not talking about giving medical care, temporary status means they, adults, won’t be deported, they will legally be in the US. I do not know if they were asking for them to have working visas or just the ability to be here. I don’t know if it is difficult for them to get tourist visas? Or, maybe the tourist visa is for a shorter period of time than the temp visa?

The media announced yesterday morning, mostly using various politicians as sources. What I heard were their wish lists, not plans. As to bringing Haitians to the US, there are no firm plans as yet. Various international NGOs and government agencies, including the Americans, are working on this in emergency meetings throughout this weekend while we have boots on the ground on site in Haiti reporting back assessments and delivering what care is possible. Look beyond what you hear in the media here. When it doesn’t make sense to you, look at the media sources.

Often you’ll find the media has misinterpreted what they are told, or they are being provocative in order to improve ratings or advance one agenda or another. In my short time in civil service, I have seen this in cases of Hurricane relief, the Swine Flu, and now the Haitian crisis.

@Espiritus_Corvus I saw congresman Diaz-Balart on tv requesting this out of his own mouth. As I said I do think part of it is to gain votes in his district.

I think it is a fact that the US will need increased shore patrol if they want to keep the Haitians out, I think more will be coming this year compared to previous years, don’t you?

As I said before, the media broke this story with congressmen and their wish lists, not policy. You do not live in a dictatorship. Congerssmen, merely by calling a press conference do not set international relief policy. Diaz-Balart and his cohorts can say what they want, but alone they will not decide how to best conduct the relief. He can take it to Congress, but he is running a little late.

Also, and as usual, you are not hearing much at all about the international relief effort, which is considerable. The US is not in this alone. France and other countries are also discussing temporary visas. So far, American NGOs and other government agencies, in reference to US temporary hardship visas, are still in the planning stages and we are only discussing children at this point. Children come first.

@Espiritus_Corvus I am not saying it is policy. I am asking the collective what they think about the idea?

I know there is a large coordinated relief effort. I have total empathy for the Haitians always have. I see why Haitians would be so frustrated over the years, when they know Cubans can come right in. My husband is Mexican and it bothers Mexicans also.

I think the congress should make a law to just open the doors of America to everyone. then, we could change the name of America to Mixed Bag.

@john65pennington Ummm, that is what America is. “Give us your tired your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free…” Are you American?

@JLeslie “I think it is a fact that the US will need increased shore patrol if they want to keep the Haitians out, I think more will be coming this year compared to previous years, don’t you?”

No. More Coast Guard is not the answer. Sticking a finger in the dike will not solve the problem. The dike must be fixed.

History shows that the US government has for the past 100 years militarily and financially supported successive dictatorships that have kept Haitian people in poverty and bled their resources. If we simply changed our foreign policy toward Haiti as one of support of true democracy and invested in open, free enterprise (not just investing in the ruling class), then Haiti would offer more opportunity for its citizens and Haitian immigration would slow to normal Caribbean levels. We need a true partnership with our Caribbean neighbor. The other way, this way, is too expensive.

@Espiritus_Corvus I think maybe you are under the impression I am worried about immigrants coming in. I have not even given my opinion really on the subject. I am all for helping the Haitians have better lives in their country, I know that is the best way to curb immigration, and is better for everyone. I am talking about the next three months. I am not recommending increased border control, I am just discussing the topic, you are confusing my statements as suggestions, which could easily be my fault in how I am wording things, I just want to clarify here what my intention is. To go a little further, I am in favor of a path to citizenship for Latin Americans who are here also. I am not in favor of building a wall on our border withh Mexico. I am second generation American on one side and third on the other. My husband is an immigrant. I am not one of those Americans who wants to deport everyone; I think the diversity in our country is what makes it great.

What would you do? Send them back to almost certain death? I wonder how some people can be so cruel.

@JLeslie Your last post was very clear and I now understand your stance. I have reread your posts and I can see that nothing that you have said here previously contradicts your sentiments as described in the last post.

Yes, I imagine the US Coast Guard will increase vigilance for the next 18 months or so and people who survive weeks at sea on rafts that can’t meet the criteria of the wet feet, dry feet policy because of their nationality will be turned back as our policy on Haitian immigration will not be permanently affected by temporary hardship sanctions imposed during this crisis.

The wet feet, dry feet policy applies to Cubans, purely for political reasons and not humanitarian reasons, i repeat not humanitarian reasons. Average Cubans have a quality of life, with levels of security and protection that Haitians can only dream of. However encouraging Haitians and Cubans to risk their lives to cross the Florida Straits on rudimentary floatation contraptions is cruel, for whatever reason. i’m pretty certain if America eased up on the trade embargo, the influx of Cubans would diminish. Another radical step would be to convert Guantanamo bay to a medical facility and base from which to administer aid rapidly to victims of Hurricane damage, and other disasters in that region. That would be a joint venture between Americans and Cubans, with no overt political agenda. Rather than have Guantanamo operate purely as a military Garrison and concentration camp. The other point is US citizens can travel to Cuba, just take an indirect route, Cuban passport authorities do not stamp your passport.

@mammal absolutely right. The only reason for the 50 year trade embargo is that the Cuban’s suckered the U.S. government and they never got over it. It’s such a shame a 6 months embargo would have been sufficient punishment.

I don’t smoke but buy Cuban Cigars when I go to Canada just to piss off the U.S. government. I give them away.

The trade embargo pursists because the Cubans in Miami want it. At least the older ones do. Most of the older generation Cubans are Republicans, if Cubans started voting Democrat in large numbers that would have a big impact in FL, because it is a swing state already.

@Espiritus_Corvus I’m not sure I understand what you are saying. We all agree wet feet dry feet has nothing to do with Haitians. It’s not a matter of preventing them from getting to shore. Just a matter of “catching” them. So, do you believe we will be sending them back,. or make an exception for a while?

Letting more immigrants in would not be a good solution. Haiti needs long-term assistance in fixing their basic structural problems. What they need is real democracy, education, population control, land reclamation, basic industry. If the real problems aren’t fixed, Haiti will always be a breeding ground for illegal immigrants. Failed states are also the classic bases for organized crime and terrorist groups.

@JLeslie If Haitians come in unauthorized, of course the USCG will be sending them back. As much as Lou Dobbs, Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh and others of their ilk wish America to believe otherwise, the US sanctions will not have a permanent affect on our policy towards Haiti and America will not be overrun with illegals during this relief effort.

Ongoing US surface and satellite surveillance shows no unauthorized craft leaving Haitian shores at this time. The refugees that are coming into the US at this time are Haitian Americans—citizens of the US. Most are black and have creole accents. There are up to 10,000 of them that may need to get back, but we expect many to come without proper documents. After being vetted in Haiti by US officials, they are to arrive on US government and US government chartered aircraft into highly restricted depots where they will be processed by our military, State Department, the DEA, and various law enforcement, department of health infectious disease and medical triage teams, and reps from other government and non-government agencies.

Isolated hangers at various airports such as Miami International and Tampa International have now been dedicated to and prepared for the processing of these people. The former air base at Homestead (deactivated after Hurricane Andrew due to catastrophic damage) is now being reactivated as a refugee port of call.. An air strip at Sanford, Florida, north of Orlando is now being prepped as well. Children will be arriving simultaneously or soon after in a separate operation at these same depots. If it is deemed necessary to accept large numbers of destitute adults, the old Marielito concentration camp on Krome Avenue west of Miami on the edge of the Everglades has been designated as a refugee processing and holding center, and a portion of the detention facility at Guantanamo, Cuba, is now being readied as a holding center.

@Espiritus_Corvus Thanks for taking the time to write all of that out. I had just heard that Homestead was going to be utilized in the effort, but did not know all of the details.

Do you work for the state of FL?

USAID BULLETIN
31 JANUARY 2010
HAITI

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION
At the request of the Haitian government, the U.S. continues to coordinate America’s relief efforts with the United Nations and the international community. We are coordinating closely with more than 30 nations and hundreds of NGOs to deliver food and water quickly throughout the country.

Secretary of State Clinton discussed Haiti with UK Foreign Secretary Miliband and the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Catherine Ashton, earlier today in Washington. The Secretary stressed the vital partnership underway in Haiti, with the U.S. and EU countries working side by side on relief and rescue operations, and the need for a “coordinated, integrated, international response to the reconstruction and the return of prosperity and opportunity to Haiti.”

At the United Nations, the U.S. Deputy Ambassador, Alejandro Wolff, addressed the UN press corps to draw attention to the broad international character of the rescue and relief effort in Haiti. Held just before another pledging round for the UN Flash Appeal, Ambassador Wolff was joined by UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes and the Ambassadors from Haiti, Brazil, Canada, France and Uruguay.

HEALTH/MEDICAL
Yesterday, the hospital ship USNS Comfort started receiving injured patients from the local hospitals and international medical facilities. The Comfort has a crew of 850 to provide a host of medical services, and will eventually provide nearly 1,000 hospital beds, and 11 operating rooms.

The USNS Comfort has treated more than 230 patients received from 10 hospital sites already.

As of January 21, more than 7,000 patients have been treated by the 5 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) from the Department of Health and Human Services and one International Medical Surgical Team (IMSuRT) in Haiti (all funded by USAID/OFDA). These teams treated 2,160 patients on January 20.

Each DMAT has 35 staff members and 40 beds and functions as a field emergency room, while the IMSuRT has 50 staff members and 35 beds and performs disaster surgery.

AIRPORTS & PORTS
The airport in Port au Prince is open around the clock. The U.S. Air Force continues to manage air operations at the request of the Haitian Government. And the State Department continues to coordinate closely with our international partners and NGOs to facilitate the smooth arrival of aid and personnel. This is a consultative process with the government of Haiti and the UN involving dozens of international assistance flights, beyond U.S. civilian and military flights.

On January 20, 153 flights arrived (38 of those were official U.S. flights).

For example, of the 330 arrivals from January 16 – 18, approximately half were civilian/humanitarian, and less than 30% were military:
155 were civilian aircraft,
91 from U.S. military and government aircraft, and
84 from international governments and militaries – the proportion of international flights is rising.

On 1/18, flights landed from: Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, France, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United States, Ukraine, and from the United Nations and numerous international aid organizations such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the World Food Program (WFP).

The WFP has placed a coordination cell at the airport in Haiti to assist with the prioritization of flights and the movement of humanitarian assistance through the airport to areas of need in Haiti.

The port is beginning to receive some ships and is about 30% operational. The port at Jacmel, southwest of Port-au-Prince is currently operational during daylight for certain vessels. U.S. Army/Navy dive teams with underwater construction teams continued to assess port structural damage.

U.S. Transportation Command reports that since commencing air operations, a total of 160 missions have been flown that have carried more than 2,600 tons of relief supplies and more than 2,500 military and relief personnel into Haiti.

SAFETY & SECURITY
As of January 21, approximately 13,000 military personnel (10,000 afloat and 3,000 ashore) are a part of the relief effort.

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) continues to provide assistance in support of Leogane and Petit Goave. They currently have 356 Marines ashore.

The remaining assets from 2/82 Brigade Combat Team and equipment will complete deployment to Port-au-Prince by January 22. They currently have 3,062 soldiers on ground.

As of January 21 there are 20 U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships, 63 helicopters, and 204 vehicles in the joint operations area.

The U.S. Coast Guard has 12 aircraft operating in Haiti:
Five C-130 airplanes
One C-144 airplane
Three H-65 helicopters
Three H-60 helicopters

The U.S. Coast Guard has 6 vessels:
Coast Guard Cutter Valiant
Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma
Coast Guard Cutter Forward
Coast Guard Cutter Oak
Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton
Coast Guard Cutter Legare

Additionally, the Coast Guard has 3 vessels in the Florida Straits to support any tasking related to Haiti relief efforts: Coast Guard Cutters Alert, Dependable, and Venturous.

The U.S. Coast Guard has 801 service members on site assisting with recovery:
26 ashore,
719 afloat,
56 aircrew.

SOUTHCOM funded and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) contracted for the purchase of 50,000 hand held radios to distribute to the Haitian people.

As of the last night, 43,800 radios had arrived in Port-au-Prince. The remaining 6,200 radios are slated for delivery to Special Operations Command South by January 25 and flow into Haiti thereafter

The Military Information Support Team (MIST) in coordination with USAID will begin distribution of these radios immediately. 60,000 stickers, with the frequencies on them, and 60,000 hand bills that demonstrate (with pictures) how to operate the radio will be distributed with the radios.

This hand held radio initiative is part of an overall effort to reach the people of Haiti via FM/AM broadcasting of VOA programming and CJTF Haiti public service announcements.

EVACUATION & RESCUES
The U.S. government continues evacuations from Haiti around the clock. The total number of people evacuated from Haiti by the U.S. is approximately 10,500, of which 8,300 were American citizens. More than 1,100 Americans have been evacuated today, as of 3 p.m.

Search and Rescue: Currently, 43 international USAR teams, comprised of 1,739 rescue workers, with 161 dogs, are working in Haiti. 6 of those teams are from the United States – with 511 rescue workers from Fairfax County, Los Angeles County, Miami, Miami-Dade, Virginia Beach, and New York.

USAID/OFDA has provided more than $36 million in support of U.S. USAR teams deployed to Haiti to date.

U.S. USAR teams are currently conducting secondary reconnaissance missions throughout Port-au-Prince following the aftershock yesterday.

FOOD & WATER
C-17 air delivery of food and water resumed today—14,000 water bottles and 14,500 MREs/Humanitarian Rations were slated for delivery. The drop zone is in the vicinity of Mirebalais, about 25 miles northeast of the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. A MINUSTAH battalion secured the site.

U.S. military aircraft, helicopters, and vessels are giving the highest priority to the shipment of water. Over the past several days, JTF-Haiti has distributed more than 600,000 bottles of water and more than 400,000 meals/humanitarian rations. The USS Carl Vinson is producing 100,000 gallons of potable water daily. Water tanks are being installed in each zone of the city and potable water is now available at 45 distribution points. The U.S. Coast Guard has distributed a total of 38.5 tons of water (62,880 bottles). And USAID/OFDA has delivered 9 water treatment units to provide 900,000 liters of safe drinking water for 90,000 people per day.

More than 238,000 meals/humanitarian rations and 400,000 bottles of water were delivered yesterday alone.

The Crowley vessel Maracajam arrived in the Dominican Republic yesterday with more than 60,000 meals/humanitarian rations and water for the WFP.

The USNS Lummus, capable of producing 94,000 gallons of potable water, is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

USAID/FFP has contributed food assistance worth $68 million.

To date, International Organization for Migration (IOM) has delivered 240,600 water purification tablets for household use, 3,300 water containers, and 1,920 hygiene kits (funded by USAID/OFDA) to several neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince.

Today, World Vision, in partnership with USAID, started distribution of 2,000 metric tons of Food for Peace (FFP) commodities. The commodities will meet the immediate food needs of 18,670 families, or approximately 93,350 individuals, in Petion Ville, Delmas, and Port-au-Prince.

Yesterday, a USAID/OFDA-funded flight carrying emergency relief supplies arrived in Port-au-Prince. Commodities included equipment to maintain a field hospital, including a trauma kit and air-conditioning unit. This is in addition to the water treatment units, ten-liter water containers, hygiene kits, rolls of plastic sheeting, and water bladders provided in recent days.

ADOPTIONS & ORPHANS
Yesterday, Secretary Clinton announced that the State Department is heading up a joint task force with the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services to focus on orphans and unaccompanied minors, to streamline the process of adoptions, and to ensure that these families are united as quickly as possible while still ensuring that proper safeguards are in place to protect children in our care. An interagency working group has been established to focus on the humanitarian needs of highly vulnerable children. And the Administration is also working closely with the many

Members of Congress who are understandably very concerned about this process.
On Monday, Secretary Napolitano announced humanitarian parole for certain Haitian orphans. We remain focused on family reunification and must be vigilant not to separate children from relatives in Haiti who are still alive but displaced, or to unknowingly assist criminals who traffic in children in such desperate times. To do so, we strongly discourage the use of private aircraft to evacuate orphans. All flights must be appropriately coordinated with the U.S. and Haitian governments to ensure proper clearances are granted before arrival in the United States.

ASSISTANCE
As of January 20, USAID had contributed $90 million to the U.N. appeal, including $22 million in non-food assistance and $68 million in food assistance. An additional $73.9 million in bilateral assistance for search-and-rescue and other assistance had also been committed as of December 20, bringing total USAID assistance to Haiti to nearly $165 million.