As the world recently bore witness to the devastating way the U.S. treated Haitian refugees coming to our borders seeking safety, one thing is clear: We must critically examine the ways in which we respond to the persons and families that come to the U.S. border seeking our protection. Several questions are illuminated: Was this legal? Are we complying with our moral, ethical and international obligations to displaced persons and honoring their dignity and human rights? How does a global pandemic impact these obligations?

Join us for a convening of experts who will discuss the most recent crisis at the U.S. border. Panelists provide further details into this and similar instances of human rights violations at our border. They will also examine current events from an international law perspective while simultaneously exploring the U.S.’s use of public health authority under Title 42 as justification for keeping out groups of Haitian refugees and other displaced persons. Finally, join us for a discussion of how to get involved with efforts to provide legal and other resources to Haitian and other refugees.

Welcome:
Sheila S. Boston, President, New York City Bar Association

Moderator:
Danny Alicea, Chair, NYC Bar Association's Immigration and Nationality Law Committee, Supervising Immigration Attorney at Center for Family Representation

Speakers:
Miriam Lacroix, Founder of Lacroix Law, P.C.
Jonathan Blazer, ACLU Director of Border Strategies
Zaid Hydari, Executive Director, Refugee Solidarity Network

Sponsoring Committee:
Immigration and Nationality Law Committee, Danny Alicea, Chair

Co-Sponsoring Committee:
International Human Rights Committee, Ramya Kudekallu, Chair

Related Reports:
Statement on Haiti and Haitian Migrants by New York City Bar Association President Sheila S. Boston - https://www.nycbar.org/media-listing/media/detail/statement-on-haiti-and-haitian-migrants