LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion led by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District, that strengthens access to supportive services for Haitian immigrants residing in Los Angeles County. The motion directs the Office of Immigrant Affairs within the Department of Consumer Business of Affairs to develop a culturally competent outreach plan that connects Haitian immigrants to key County services including medical and mental healthcare, workforce development, and immigration legal support.
Since July of 2021, the people of Haiti have experienced a series of devastating events, starting with the assassination of their president, Jovenel Moïse, and followed by a catastrophic earthquake and tropical storm. All this has happened while the country continues to lag behind in the fight against COVID-19 with only 21 percent of Haitian residents vaccinated as of September of this year. Haitian immigrants, like many other immigrants forced to flee their home countries, are risking their lives to journey to the United States in hope of a better and safer place to call home.
“The horrific images that we saw of Haitian immigrants being whipped by U.S. Border Patrol agents should have enraged us all. It’s time we match that outrage with action” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “This motion builds on the Board’s commitment to ensuring LA County leads in welcoming and supporting all immigrants and sends a clear message that we will not stand for immigration policies and actions that harm and unfairly impact the wellbeing of Haitians or any group of people.”
The motion directs the Chief Executive Office Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Affairs branch to send a letter signed by all five Los Angeles County Supervisors to the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken informing him that Los Angeles County will stand ready to work with the federal government in welcoming and supporting Haitian immigrants and their families.
To read the full motion click here.