Young Haitians for Obama

We were right to support him!

The United States has been a longtime ally and partner of Haiti. This relationship was forged in 1968 and it continues today with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment. Although there have been considerable setbacks in the past, the Obama administration has elected to become an active participant in assisting Haiti with it’s ongoing reconstruction efforts.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has made available $2 million to help Haitian pubic advocacy organizations create small business programs within the country. Entrepreneurs will be able to apply for commercial loans to start up new ventures or expand existing ones. Additionally, remittances or funds being sent to Haitian families from loved ones in the US can now be used as collateral for business loans or to open a savings or checking account. The primary aim of these initiatives is to create jobs and boost many key sectors of the Haitian economy such as manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture. USAID is also awarding scholarships to students and making educational loans available for the purpose of building schools and hiring teachers.

The Obama administration has also provided $166 million to assist with natural disaster recovery efforts. The four major storms that hit the island nation killed hundreds, displaced thousands, and caused $1 billion in damages. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently announced that the US would provide $300 million to fund major projects.

The President has also succeeded in persuading Congress to adequately fund key legislation known as HOPE II to expand trade relations with Haiti as a way to increase economic output and create jobs. Mr. Obama was also instrumental in former President Bill Clinton being appointed as UN Special Envoy. This high profile appointment seeks to humanize the plight of the Haitian people and to encourage more monetary support from the international community.

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An estimated 35,000 illegal Haitian immigrants are currently being considered for TPS designation (Temporary Protected Status) by the US government. This special legal status is usually granted to refugees of countries that are plagued by severe political instability, ongoing wars, and natural disasters such as Somalia, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Secretary of State Clinton has indicated that any TPS approvals would most likely apply to undocumented immigrants who received deportation notices prior to President Obama taking office. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security has released many illegal immigrants with no criminal record from detention centers so long as they agree to obey a final deportation order.

All of the above US government activities demonstrate that Mr. Obama’s effect on Haiti is a lot more far-reaching and meaningful than his predecessors. He is not just interested in maintaining the status quo. The President’s willingness to seriously and aggressively address longstanding issues is a clear shift in official US policy.