Bill Text: NJ AR149 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urges Congress to provide aid to Haitian migrants.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-06-02 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee [AR149 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2022-AR149-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 149

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JUNE 2, 2022

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  SHANIQUE SPEIGHT

District 29 (Essex)

Assemblywoman  SHAVONDA E. SUMTER

District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)

Assemblywoman  MILA M. JASEY

District 27 (Essex and Morris)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman McKnight

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Urges Congress to provide aid to Haitian migrants.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Assembly Resolution urging Congress to provide aid to Haitian migrants.

 

Whereas, In the wake of ongoing political instability and natural disasters numerous Haitian citizens have attempted to emigrate to the Americas; and

Whereas, The Biden administration has stated that Haiti is "grappling with a deteriorating political crisis, violence, and a staggering increase in human rights abuses;" and

Whereas, On August 14, 2021, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the island of Haiti, killing over 2,000 people and injuring more than 12,200, and triggering a humanitarian crisis; and

Whereas, According to the United Nations, approximately 650,000 people require humanitarian assistance due to the earthquake; and

Whereas, On July 7, 2021, a group of mercenaries assassinated the President of Haiti, Jovenel Moïse, resulting in an increase in gang violence on the island; and

Whereas, Heightened political instability and organized criminal gang activity has resulted in civilian casualties and displaced thousands of people in and around Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince; and

Whereas, Haiti's COVID-19 outbreak continues to strain the limited health care system capacity countrywide, as well as disrupt the livelihood of civilians; and

Whereas, Poor agricultural production and economic conditions, political instability, and recurrent natural shocks continue to generate significant food insecurity, resulting in approximately 40 percent of Haiti's population facing severe acute food insecurity in 2022; and

Whereas, The United Nations estimates that approximately 4.9 million people throughout Haiti require humanitarian assistance; and

Whereas, Haitians are among the numerous migrants from the Caribbean, Central America, and Latin American countries who undergo treacherous journeys to the United States in search of safety and opportunity; and

Whereas, In 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard has been intercepting about four Haitian migrant vessels per month at sea, with an average of about 150 occupants on board; and

Whereas, Front line organizations are working to aid Haitian migrants who were dislocated, detained, and expelled as they sought asylum and safety at the United States border; and

Whereas, Congress should provide aid to Haitian migrants and organizations that will help with the needs of the migrants such as funding shelter, legal services, food aid, and medical assistance; now, therefore,

     Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    This House respectfully urges Congress to provide further aid to Haiti and its citizens who are migrating to the Americas due to the countrywide political and humanitarian crises.

 

     2.    Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Acting President of Haiti, Ariel Henry; the Haitian Ambassador to the United States; the Haitian Ambassador to the United Nations; the United States Ambassador to Haiti; each member of the New Jersey Congressional delegation; and the Governor of the State of New Jersey.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This resolution urges Congress to provide aid to the migrants of Haiti. 

     Haiti has been through political and economic turmoil and has suffered from natural disasters for years.  However, following the assassination of the Haitian President, the country fell into an even greater crisis, the rise in gang activity. This organized criminal gang activity has resulted in civilian casualties and displaced thousands of people in and around Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince.  As a result of political instability and ongoing natural disasters, the Biden administration has stated that Haiti is "grappling with a deteriorating political crisis, violence, and a staggering increase in human rights abuses." 

     Given the political turmoil and the financial distress, Haitians have started to migrate more to the United States via boats or land corridors from the Americas.  Haitians are among the numerous migrants from Caribbean, Central, and Latin countries who undergo treacherous journeys northward in search of safety and opportunity in the United States.

     This resolution urges Congress to provide support to frontline organizations that work to aid Haitian migrants who were dislocated, detained, and expelled as they sought asylum and safety at the U.S. border.  Aid to the migrants should include funding to provide shelter, food aid, and medical assistance and further, to organizations that provide legal services.