FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 8, 2003
Contact:  Sheila S. Hopkins
Associate for Social Concerns
(850) 222-3803
shopkins@flacathconf.org

TALLAHASSEE – The Catholic Bishops of Florida, in response to the continued detention of 228 Haitian men, women and children in Miami, have issued a statement calling on President George W. Bush to release these refugees to their families and community sponsors in South Florida.  Arriving in Miami on a decrepit vessel October 29, 2002 to escape the human rights violations and poverty in their native country, these Haitians have been incarcerated and denied access to adequate and appropriate legal representation.

In their statement, the Bishops also call on Governor Jeb Bush and state and federal legislators to contact the President and request release of the detainees.  “To deny these Haitian refugees the right to economic opportunity and freedom from persecution is to disown our heritage of immigration.  We should not succumb to the fear generated by 9/11 and turn our backs on those seeking freedom from violence in their homeland,” said Sheila S. Hopkins, Associate for Social Concerns for the Florida Catholic Conference.

The statement, signed by all the Bishops of Florida, is attached.  (Please access the Bishops' Statement at:  http://www.flacathconf.org/Publications/BishopsStatements/Bpst2000/Haitiandetainees.htm)