Haitians in Rockland react to travel ban now in effect
Spring Valley is said to have one of the largest Haitian populations outside of the Caribbean country.
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A federal travel ban for a dozen countries, including Haiti, is now in effect.
Spring Valley is said to have one of the largest Haitian populations outside of the Caribbean country.
News 12 spoke with members of the community at Konbit Neg Lakay, an organization in Spring Valley that serves Haitian newcomers.
"Please reconsider this travel ban," Jean David Julien with that message for President Donald Trump. Julien hails from Haiti and helps others at the organization. "For the students in Haiti. For people who have their loved ones in America. For the people who depend on U.S. medicine."
The federal government's reason for the travel ban is said to be about national security.
According to reports, the State Department says the ban will not revoke visas but there are very narrow criteria in order to get one.
Julien says his loved ones are feeling the change as they cannot renew their visas.
"The travel ban that I usually hear of is like the Middle Eastern kind of countries that have real threats against the U.S. I don't see Haiti as a threat to the United States of America," said Steeve Cadet, who came from Haiti nearly two decades ago.
As News 12 has previously reported, Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents Rockland, is looking to meet with federal officials to remove the travel ban on Haiti.
