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ACLU, Haitian Grassroots Coalition Issue Renewed Call for Release
of Haitian Asylum Seekers in Response to TGK Visit by INS Chief
July 12, 2002
MIAMI ? At 9 a.m. Monday morning, INS Commissioner James W. Ziglar will tour the Turner Guilford Knight (TGK) Detention Facility at the request of Florida Senators Bob Graham and Bill Nelson.
On the occasion of Ziglar's visit, the Haitian Grassroots Coalition and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida are renewing their call for the immediate release of hundreds of Haitian asylum seekers who have been detained by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service since December despite having met the "credible fear" standard for release.
"The hopelessness and helplessness of the Haitian asylum seekers is increasing under prolonged detention, and they continue to suffer from serious health problems and mental anguish as we've seen in recent suicide attempts and hunger strikes," said Jean-Robert Lafortune, President of the Haitian Grassroots Coalition.
The groups are demanding that the INS abide by its own policy ? see paragraph four in the following letter from the INS ? stating that asylum seekers are released to pursue their asylum cases once they've demonstrated a credible fear of persecution or torture.
Who: Community groups issue renewed call for release of Haitian Detainees on occasion of tour by INS Commissioner James Ziglar of Turner Guilford Knight (TGK) Detention Facility.
What: Tour of Turner Guilford Knight (TGK) Detention Facility
When: Monday, July 15, 2002, at 9 a.m. E.S.T.
Where: Turner Guilford Knight (TGK) Detention Facility,
7000 NW 41st St., Miami.
Why: To bring attention to the inhumane and discriminatory treatment of Haitian asylum seekers by the INS and to call on the INS to immediately release the Haitians detained at Krome
Contact: Jean-Robert Lafortune, Haitian Grassroots Coalition, (305) 785-4248 or Howard Simon, ACLU of Florida Executive Director, (786) 208-7103 (cell)
