Many of those who embark upon the uncertain voyage across the ocean have sold their land. their possessions. indeed their life savings. for a passage to the United States. Selling the promise of asylum in America has probably become big business in Haiti. leaving the desperate many at the mercy of the unscrupulous few. Yet we know that most of these refugees will never reach American soil and will instead find themselves back in Haiti. stripped of the resources they need to survive. Any incentive to attempt this fruitless journey is. in my mind. only a comeon to Haitis poor to give away their meager assets for nothing. Haitians hearing news of this bill may fail to recognize that the moratorium applies only to refugees under United States supervision by February 5. The idea that gets across is more likely to be that repatriations will be suspended. period. H.R. 3844. then. would provide cruel encouragement for more Haitians to leave their villages believing in the empty promise of safe haven in the United States. I further oppose this bill as it fails to authorize any funds to provide for Haitian refugees over the 6 months of the proposed moratorium. At best. H.R. 3844 sends a clouded and confusing message to the people of Haiti.
Identified stereotypes
Haitians are easily deceived and will give away their meager assets for false promises of asylum.