Teen's return to Haiti is scheduled for today

Posted on Thu, Oct. 02, 2003

IMMIGRATION
Teen's return to Haiti is scheduled for today
Nearly a year after arriving in the United States, an orphaned Haitian teen may be forced back to Haiti and a life on the streets.
BY JACQUELINE CHARLES AND JACQUEE PETCHEL
jcharles@herald.com

After a year's wait, teen's return to Haiti is set for today

Ernesto Joseph was orphaned and homeless, lost in the violent tapestry that has swallowed Haiti, a country where street children are often arrested, assaulted or exiled to indentured servitude.

He fled his homeland last year on an illegal boat bound for the United States, his hopes pinned on a trip to America and a life with the unfettered simplicity of childhood.

But today, the U.S. government intends to deport him -- though he is believed to be only 16, has no home, no parents and nowhere to go but the same rough streets he fled. Experts believe there is a good chance -- as a homeless teenager -- he will be killed or jailed if he is forced to return.

''Arrangements have been made for your departure to Haiti on Oct. 2, 2003,'' says the order from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. `` . . . you should report to a United States immigration officer . . . at 9 a.m. completely ready for deportation.'' (snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/6911093.htm

Here is the current status of this young man:

(snip) Haitian Orphan Granted 30 Days Before Deportation, Detained
The Associated Press
Published: Oct 2, 2003


MIAMI (AP) - A Haitian orphan set to be sent back to his homeland Thursday was granted a 30-day stay by immigration officials to give his supporters more time to fight the deportation order, his lawyer said.

Teenager Ernesto Joseph was among 200 Haitian migrants that waded onto Key Biscayne last October. An immigration judge granted him political asylum in January, but the federal government refused to release him, saying potential illegal Haitian migration posed a terrorist threat.

Immigration officials ordered Joseph held in detention during the 30-day stay. He had been staying with a South Florida uncle on humanitarian parole because doctors said he suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

"It's good news that he's not being deported, but it's really bad news that he's being detained," said his attorney, David Shahoulian.
(snip/...)

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/florida/MGA84D4BBLD.html


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If only he had been born in Cuba, he would have been admitted immediately, and welcome to benefits such as Section 8 housing, food stamps, instant legal status, medical treatment, education assistance, welfare, etc., etc.

Pity.