Statement of Georgia D. Katsoulomitis,
Executive Director of Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI)
In Response to Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric Against Haitian Community

The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit poverty law organization that does not endorse any political candidate.  At the same time, as an organization grounded in social, racial and economic justice, we do not and cannot turn a blind eye to injustice.

We cannot remain silent in the face of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance’s relentless, baseless and racist attacks upon all immigrants – and currently against the Haitian people, so many of whom are our cherished friends, neighbors and co-workers in Massachusetts.

The language being used by former President Trump and V.P. candidate Vance is clearly rooted in anti-immigrant and especially anti-Black, racist sentiment. Words have consequences. Slanderous and fabricated stories intended to demean and hurt others have dangerous results; xenophobic rhetoric leads to hate crimes, violence, and discrimination.

The pattern of dehumanization of immigrants – especially Black and Brown immigrants, and also Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Irish, Italians, Greeks, Eastern Europeans, people from Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Pacific Islands and the Middle East (and ironically Native American and Indigenous peoples who originally inhabited the land now known as the United States) – has been sadly pervasive throughout our history. Today it manifests in the language used to describe Black and Brown new arrivals, the vast majority of whom are in the United States lawfully under humanitarian parole, Temporary Protect Status (TPS) and other lawful immigration statuses for immigrants fleeing persecution, political violence, abject poverty, and natural disasters.  By continuously pushing misinformation about these immigrants, Trump and his allies are perpetuating a false narrative that blames Black and Brown immigrants for an array of America’s challenges – which has dangerous consequences.

We have a special obligation to defend Haitian Americans and newly arrived Haitian families: Massachusetts has one of the highest populations of those of Haitian descent in the country. Beyond that, Massachusetts in particular has a long and very regrettable history of dehumanizing, demeaning and diminishing immigrant newcomers.

Donald Trump and J.D. Vance are comfortable attacking Black and Brown immigrant groups because they want to cast them as ‘others’ or ‘subhuman.’ It is not harmless rhetoric, and it must be condemned. This is the very same language and path that has, throughout history, led to horrible mistreatments of good, innocent people and communities.

MLRI stands in solidarity with the Haitian community – a group of very hardworking and dignified people who faced terrible and dangerous crises in their home country and have come to the United States to seek a better life – as countless immigrants have done before them.  It is ironic that a nation built by immigrants fleeing poverty, persecution and violence is now, yet again, choosing xenophobic, racist rhetoric over compassion and inclusion.

On Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 12 noon, there will be a rally at 139 Tremont Street, Boston – at the Embrace Boston Monument. Please join us and show your support for our Haitian community and stand up against hateful language, discrimination and violence against all immigrants.