Georgia attorney in Texas to help Haitian immigrants
A Georgia attorney locally in Texas is helping Haitian immigrants seeking refuge in the United States.
ATLANTA – A Georgia attorney is on site in Texas to help Haitian immigrants seek refuge in the United States.
“I had to be there because when you saw that, imagine what you don’t see,” said Immigration Attorney Lana Joseph.
There was no question that Metro Atlanta immigration attorney Lana Joseph was traveling to the southern border to help.
Joseph is a Haitian and was on the scene after videos surfaced showing border agents on horses using whips and other weapons to prevent Haitian immigrants from entering the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security announced an investigation into the incident.
“It’s extremely hot. The condition is terrible. It’s over 100 degrees. It’s hot, it’s raining. You are under the bridge and have nothing to eat,” said Joseph.
Joseph claims the food is not up to standards.
“The border patrols say they feed them, but when I talk to people they say that they feed them a piece of bread and some cookies with water. Three times a day. It’s not a nutritious meal, ”said Joseph.
Joseph said she met a woman there who gave birth to her child.
“Tears ran down my eyes. I am a mother and it speaks to my heart. You see the newborn she gave birth and right after that she was transferred to ICE,” said Joseph.
The Atlanta lawyer’s fight for Haitian refugees is very important to her
It is a personal mission for Lana Joseph, an Atlanta attorney originally from Haiti. Joseph is now in Texas trying to help the Haitian immigrants.
COVID-19 is also an issue.
“While they are being released, some of them test positive and it is the same people who are being released. There is no mask and no social distancing,” said Joseph.
This is personal to Joseph.
“My father came here as an immigrant in 1991 when people were fleeing Haiti by boat,” said Joseph. “I am a product of immigration. What you see here, I am a product of it. I am a lawyer.”
As a lawyer, Joseph says she understands many are illegal, but her team is working to educate and help.
“If you make sure they understand, understand the process that is going on and educate people when you come to the United States, you have to obey the law and other things to be good citizens,” said Joseph.
Joseph hopes the leaders will stand up and help their people.
“We’re friends of America and that’s what the Biden administration said. Treat your friends fairly because the way they treat Haitians right now, they don’t treat us like friends. That’s not how you treat your friends, ”said Joseph.
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