Open letter regarding COVID-19 front-line workers seeking asylum

Released on May 6, 2020, this open letter from Concertation haïtienne pour les migrant.es (CHPM) is addressed to the Prime Minister and premiers of Canada and Quebec in the context of COVID-19.

MONTRÉAL, May 6, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ -

Mr. Premier,

Today, all Quebecers are united in fighting COVID-19, a merciless enemy. We would like to thank you for your handling of the various challenges that have emerged during this unprecedented crisis. Regardless of our status, we are fighting to protect ourselves and, above all, those who are most vulnerable: the elderly and those living with chronic illnesses.

We appeal to your sensitivity and ask you to consider the fate of these essential workers who are claiming refugee status. In exceptional circumstances, these individuals offer us their skills, dedication and dignity to help us fight this pandemic, all while putting their own health and that of their families at risk. Many of them have nearly died, many have lost co-workers. We find it hard to believe that these guardian angels may be expelled from the country once the battle is won. This would run counter to our values as Quebecers and Canadians.

We ask that you implement a special immigration program to regularize their status on Canadian soil. Such a program would be a supreme gesture of gratitude to these people. Canada and Quebec have put in place similar special measures in the past that have proven beneficial for the country.

We are counting on your leadership to make a humanitarian gesture to these citizens who are fighting alongside us every day.

Sincerely,

#UnGesteHumanitairePourNosHumanitaires

Ninette Piou Director, Centre N A Rive Co-spokesperson	Ruth Pierre-Paul Director, BCHM (Trustee) Co-spokesperson	Marjorie Villefranche Director, Maison d'Haïti Co-spokesperson

About the CHPM
Concertation haïtienne pour les migrant.es (CHPM) is a citizen-led initiative created following the arrival of a large number of migrants, mostly from the United States, in the summer of 2017. Composed of more than a dozen community organizations working in the fields of immigration, welcoming newcomers, education, health and social services, and others, it makes representations to government, institutional and civil bodies to promote better management and integration of refugee claimants who have recently arrived on Quebec and Canadian soil.

Follow CHPM
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Concertation for Migrants

SOURCE Concertation haïtienne pour les migrants (C.H.P.M.)

Marjorie Villefranche, Director, Maison d'Haïti, CHPM Co-spokesperson, Email: [email protected], Telephone: [phone]; Ninette Piou, Director, Centre N A Rive, CHPM Co-spokesperson, Email: [email protected], Telephone: [phone]; Ruth Pierre-Paul, Director, BCHM, CHPM Co-spokesperson, Email: [email protected], Telephone: [phone]