More than a million Haitian residents were forced to flee their homes due to the ongoing gang violence
Thousands of Haitian American parishioners gathered for Lenten worship services at Notre Dame d’Haiti, a Catholic church in the heart of Miami’s Haitian neighborhood. Meanwhile, their homeland endures increasing violence, food insecurity, and diminishing humanitarian aid.
Kettelene Fevrier attended the service on March 29. The immigrant expressed her unwavering faith that things will improve in her homeland and that she will have a bright future living in the United States.
“We believe in him. We pray for possibilities,” Fevrier told the Associated Press.
Sandina Jean, who also left Haiti two years ago, tells the AP that returning to Haiti is out of the question.
“Haiti is getting worse. We don’t have a home to go back to,” Jean told the outlet.
Last week, Catholic Legal Services held an immigration session that lasted until 1 a.m. due to the high demand for advice amid uncertainty about their future in America. Jean Souffrant, who leads the church’s Leadership and Learning Center, states that parishioners are experiencing elevated levels of stress as they confront the possibility of being forced out of the country that once welcomed them.
The U.S. Census estimates that nearly half a million Haitians live in South Florida, making it the largest Haitian community in the United States.
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Source: Black Enterprise
