EMERGENCY PETITION: to halt the deportations of hundreds of Haitian nationals by U.S. immigration authorities.

Monday Feb 02nd, 2011 | 2:00PM EST

The United States has not yet responded to the emergency petition, despite being ordered to by the IACHR. The petition was submitted by the University of Miami School of Law, Human Rights and Immigration Clinics; the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center; the Center for Constitutional Rights, Alternative Chance, and the Loyola Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice.

Click here to read Petition

For more information refer to FIAC's latest Report:
After the Earthquake - Haitian Children Seeking Safety in the United States.

News Release: Death by Deportation.

Monday Feb 01st, 2011 | 9:00AM EST

A deported man has died following his detention in a Haitian jail. Wildrick Guerrier, 34, was among the 27 Haitians deported on Jan. 20 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the midst of the country's massive cholera epidemic.

Click here to read News Release

News Release: Deportations to a Death Trap.

Monday 24th, 2011 | 7:00AM EST

"Sending deportees to Haiti is an outrage. The United States has to know they're sending Haitians to a death trap," said Cheryl Little, Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center Executive Director.

Click here to read News Release

Radio Clip from PRI's The World from BBC. US resumes deportation of Haitians.

Monday 24th, 2011 | 7:00AM EST

About one hundred Haitians have been transported from South Florida to Louisiana. The move is considered one of the last steps before people are put on a plane back to Haiti, where they will likely be jailed.

Click here to read article/download MP3

US deports first Haitians since earthquake.

Friday 21st, 2011 | 8:00PM EST

Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, a nonprofit law firm, said the Haitian deportees were being sent back to a "death trap."

Click here to read article

Connecting Women: Commission Met On Combating Human Trafficking And Forced Labor.

January 20th, 2011 | 11:00AM EST

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) held a public meeting on Wednesday, January 9th at agency headquarters. Ana Vallejo, FIAC's Supervising Attoryney was among the panelists.

Click here to read agenda and article

After the Earthquake - Haitian Children Seeking Safety in the United States.

January 12th, 2011 | 2:00PM EST

Countless vulnerable Haitian children are at risk in the United States in the earthquake's aftermath. Some were evacuated after suffering life-threatening injuries in the quake. Others have lived here for years, separated from their parents. FIAC is releasing a new report today at 2:00PM EST

Click here to read Report

Local Haitian leaders uneasy as immigration officials prepare to resume deporting illegals. -NaplesNews.com cites Susana Barciela and Maureen Kelleher.

December 21th, 2010 | 11:30AM EST

"It's unconscionable to resume deportation to Haiti at this time, when conditions are worse than they were right in the aftermath of the earthquake."

Click here to read more

Local Haitian leaders uneasy as immigration officials prepare to resume deporting illegals. -NaplesNews.com cites Susana Barciela and Maureen Kelleher.

December 21th, 2010 | 11:30AM EST

"It's unconscionable to resume deportation to Haiti at this time, when conditions are worse than they were right in the aftermath of the earthquake."

Click here to read more

Protests Surround Planned Deportations To Haiti. -CBS News cites Cheryl Little, Executive Director and Susana Barciela, Policy Director from FIAC.

December 21th, 2010 | 11:30AM EST

"If they get deported, the conditions in Haiti are such that it could amount to a death sentence," Barciela said.

Click here to read more

Deportations loom as deadline for Haitians nears. -The Miami Herald cites Cheryl Little, Executive Director of FIAC.

December 20th, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

"We've got folks who are eligible for temporary protected status who are afraid to come forward and apply now because they think they're going to be detained and deported."

Click here to read more

The Senate will have a key vote on the DREAM Act tomorrow morning. CALL NOW! Keep the DREAM Act alive.

December 17th, 2010 | 2:00PM EST

Calls to Florida Senator LeMieux are more important than ever.

Click here for contact phone numbers For more information, see FIAC's Report:
Unleash the DREAM: End the Colossal Waste of Young Immigrant Talent

STOP Haitian Deportations. News Release: Act Now!

December 15th, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

"Removing individuals to Haiti under these circumstances is unconscionable", said FIAC Executive Director Cheryl Little.

Click here to read News Release | Do your part!, to sign petition click below:
Stop Deportations to Haiti

Dreaming of Reform- NY Times Editorial features FIAC's client Gaby Pacheco.

December 2nd, 2010 | 2:00PM EST

Gaby Pacheco once hugged Joe Arpaio, a sheriff in Arizona, momentarily disarming his anti-immigrant virulence.

Click here to read more | For more information, see FIAC's Report:
Unleash the DREAM: End the Colossal Waste of Young Immigrant Talent

FIAC DREAM report cited in Human Rights Watch Letter to Senator Reid

November 30th, 2010 | 10:30AM EST

To better safeguard human rights protected under international law, governments making determinations of all those subject to deportation should take into consideration the connections that immigrants establish with their communities. .

Click here to read more

Tell Congress: Pass the DREAM Act

November 19th, 2010 |

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has just announced that he will bring the DREAM Act up for a vote after Thanksgiving.

Click here to send e-fax

Hombre encarcelado injustamente logra residencia. FIAC's Attorney Tal Winer featured.

November 17th, 2010 |

Treinta años después de llegar a la tierra de la libertad, Orlando Boquete logró ser residente, pero su odisea tiene partes muy amargas.

Click here to launch video

Imigrantes Pierden Esperanzas De Legalizacion. -Features FIAC Executive Director Cheryl Little

November 9th, 2010 |

Luego de los republicanos ganaran la Camara de Representates la semana pasada, jornaleros indocumentados del sur de la Florida expresaron temor y activistas de immigracion dijeron que se hara mas dificil, si no imposible, la legalizacion de millones de immigrantes ilegales.

Click here to read more

Scott's Promises May Back Him Into A Corner. -CBS4 Features FIAC Executive Director Cheryl Little

November 4th, 2010 |

Rick Scott made lots of promises on the campaign trail this year. Now Florida's governor-elect has a chance to follow through. Many will welcome that, many others will not.

Click here to read more and watch video

How Immigrants Create More Jobs. *Op-ed by Tyler Cowen

October 30th, 2010 |

In the campaign season now drawing to a close, immigration and globalization have often been described as economic threats. the truth, however, is more complex.

Click here to read more

Study: No new strides in immigration detention. FIAC's Attorney Tania Galloni featured.

October 28th, 2010 | 12:30 AM EDT

It's been a year since the Obama administration pledged to overhaul the immigration detention system. But a new study shows no real improvement in the way undocumented immigrants are treated by the federal government. WLRN-Miami Herald reporter Marina Giovanelli takes a closer look.

Click here to listen now | Click here to read more

Mujeres tienen miedo de denunciar a sus parejas- CorrePeru.pe features Attorney Maria Jose Fletcher.

October 5th, 2010 | 12:30 PM EDT

"Queremos compatir experiencias sobre el trabajo realizado hasta ahora en beneficio de mujeres que sufren violencia física y psicológica, y desde ahí encaminarnos a conseguir leyes que contribuyan a la protección de las mujeres."

Click here to read more

U.S. Moving to ease deportation policy. TheMiamiHerald.com- FIAC cited.

August 27th, 2010 | 01:30 PM EDT

"South Florida immigration attorneys and activists said the move is the first solid evidence of more tolerance by ICE toward some foreign nationals facing removal to their homelands.""

Click here to read more | ICE Guidance Memo

Ordenan suspender casos de deportación. ElNuevoHerald.com- FIAC cited.

August 26th, 2010 | 02:30 PM EDT

"El jefe de la Policía de Inmigración y Aduanas (ICE) ha ordenado anular las deportaciones contra extranjeros con solicitudes de residencia pendientes o aprobadas por parte de familiares que son ciudadanos o residentes legales."

Click here to read more

For undocumented students, fear of deportation still looms. TheMiamiHerald.com- FIAC and clients cited.

August 12th, 2010 | 04:30 PM EDT

"When Gaby Pacheco and three other South Florida youths walked from Miami to Washington earlier this year in an immigration protest, their message was simple: President Obama, stop deporting foreign undocumented students until Congress approves legislation making them eligible for green cards."

Click here to read more

News Release: NO to Arizona in Florida: Comprehensive Immigration Reform the Only Solution

August 11th, 2010 | 07:00 PM EDT

"Florida cannot afford a law that will undermine public safety and the state economy while providing no solution to our broken immigration system."

Click here to read more

Florida attorney general proposes immigration legislation.- FIAC cited CNN.com

August 11th, 2010 | 05:00 PM EDT

"Immigrant-rich Florida cannot afford a law that will create more confusion, legal challenges and expense for all Floridians," Cheryl Little, Executive Director FIAC.

Click here to read more

Secure Communities is anything but that.

August 10th, 2010 | 01:10 PM EDT

Under ICE’s Secure Communities, 79 percent of immigrants deported were non-criminals or picked up for minor offenses—not the dangerous criminals allegedly targeted.

Click here to read more

The Miami Herald: A new break for immigrants?- FIAC cited.

August 2nd, 2010 | 11:30 AM EDT

"Cheryl Little, executive director of Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, which has assisted many Haitians to obtain TPS, said options listed in the USCIS memo outlines the best options without immigration reform."

Click here to read article

Judge Blocks Provisions of Arizona Law

July 28th, 2010 | 05:30 PM EDT

"Instead of spending resources on divisive local laws, Arizona and other states would do better to work with the Obama administration and Congress to reform our broken immigration system," said Cheryl Little, Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center Executive Director.

FIAC's News Release

Associated Press: Reports on the plight of mentally ill detainees, including a FIAC client.

July 26th, 2010 | 10:00 AM EDT

"People with mental disabilities often cannot understand why they are being detained or what is happening in court. They may not speak coherently in their defense or recall important parts of their history, especially when not receiving proper treatment," said FIAC staff attorney Allison Kent.

Click here to read article | FIAC's Press Release

Orlando Sentinel: Florida joins states supporting Arizona immigration law. -FIAC cited

July 15th, 2010 | 11:00 AM EDT

"Susana Barciela, policy director with the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center in Miami, said Florida municipalities already have cooperation agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that allow them to detain immigrants."

Click here to read article

TPS: The Long and Winding Road. Article and Podcast from Under the Sun. -FIAC featured

July 13th, 2010 | 12:15 PM EDT

"The government predicted that up to 200,000 Haitians living in the United States could be eligible, but only 55,000 Haititans had applied as of July 12. Why? fees, fraud, and most importantly, fear, according to Cheryl Little of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.

Click here for article and podcast

Feds extend program for Haitians by 6 months. -FIAC featured on CNN.com

July 13th, 2010 | 7:30 AM EDT

"We and lots of other advocates had been asking for this," said Susanna Barciela, policy director at the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.

Click here to read article

Commentary: ICE targeting the wrong immigrants, deporting people for minor offenses. -FIAC featured on The Palm Beach Post

July 12th, 2010 | 4:06 PM EDT

"Immigration is a hot topic that provokes a lot of disagreement, even among friends. Nonetheless, a few principles are fundamental: We are a nation of law and of immigrants." Executive Director, Cheryl Little.

Click here to read article

Florida lawmakers take note as U.S. challenges Arizona Law they planned to imitate - FIAC featured

July 6th, 2010 | 6:10 PM EDT

"Hopefully the DOJ (Department of Justice) lawsuit will send a powerful message that immigration laws are a federal responsibility." Executive Director, Cheryl Little.

Click here to read article

DOJ Lawsuit Rightly Asserts Federal Immigration Power

July 5th, 2010 | 5:35 PM EDT

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has stepped up to the plate by filing a lawsuit today challenging Arizona's immigration law as unconstitutional.

Click here to read article

Don't make Arizona's mistake - The Miami Herald features FIAC

July 3rd, 2010 | 6:40 PM EDT

Susana Barciela, FIAC's Policy Director Op-Ed is featured on The Miami Herald

Click here to read article

The Supreme Court's decision in Carachuri-Rosendo v. Holder

Curbs the grounds for deporting legal immigrants with minor offenses. FIAC asks the government to create a process for affected immigrants.

Click here to read the entire letter

FIAC comments on alarming ICE program expansion in Florida- FIAC quoted.

Click below to see our comments quoted on The Miami Herald and The Sun-Sentinel newspapers.

The Sun-Sentinel article | The Miami Herald article

Criminalization of Immigrants, Not Just in Arizona - at FloridaThinks.com

Cheryl Little Op-Ed on www.floridathinks.com
On April 23, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer threw her support behind
what was universally considered the toughest immigration enforcement bill in the country.
Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, and Duval participate in 'Secure Communities'".

Click here to link to article

Following immigration rules- and getting stuck. MSNBC.com features FIAC

"The immigration system is as insanely complicated and nonsensical as it gets." Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center

Click here to read more

CNN.com OPINION BY CHERYL LITTLE - Executive Director FIAC

"Immigration reform needed for U.S. economy and for Haiti quake relief"
By Cheryl Little - Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center Executive Director

Click here to read more

Noncriminal, undocumented aliens aren't being left alone, activists complain. Miami Herald - FIAC quoted.

"Unfortunately, ICE has a history of playing fast and loose with statistics." said Cheryl Little, Executive Director FIAC

Click here to read more

Dream Press Conference Video - Washington D.C.

FIAC and the Trail of Dreams. Click the link below to access our YouTube Channel and watch our video.

Click here to watch video

Florida Association for Women Lawyers Journal - FIAC's Lawyers featured

A publication of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL).

Click here to read article

FIAC holds pannel discussion with Soledad O’Brien at University of Miami.

A ten minute clip from the May 4 Florida Immigrant Advocacy Panel discussion held at the University of Miami Cosford Cinema on the plight of Haiti and her children post-quake moderated by Soledad O’Brien with FIAC Executive Director Cheryl Little, Project Medishare Dr. Barth Green, acclaimed author Edwidge Danticat, and Haitian philanthropist Robert Duval.

Click here to watch video

Haitian Refugees put in Detention - FIAC on CNN.

May 7th, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

Some Haitian quake victims brought to the U.S. were detained for illegal entry.CNN's Correspondant Soledad O'Brien reports.

Click here to watch video

Senators Durbin and Lugar state: Stop Deportation of DREAMERs.

April 21st, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

Senators Durbin and Lugar's letter to Secretary Napolitano requesting deferred action for DREAM Act eligible individuals.

Please click here to see a copy of the letter.

Just Pay: Improving Wage and Hour Enforcement at the United States Department of Labor.

April 15th, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

“We see what immigrant workers face every day here in Florida, and those experiences inform the recommendations in the Just Pay report,” explained Jennifer Hill. “We are excited to have worked with NELP and other national leaders to identify solutions that the Department of Labor can implement.”

Click here to see Report.

As It Happens - CBC Radio Show Interview.

April 9th, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

You can listen to our Executive Director Cheryl Little, Esq. in Part two of the As It Happens show.

Click here to listen to interview.

Haitian Community Receives Help to Ease Earthquake Repercussions in South Florida - knightfoundation.org

April 7th, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

The Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center ($100,000) and Catholic Charities Legal Services ($100,000): to help the estimated 50,000 South Florida Haitians who are eligible apply for Temporary Protective Status – allowing them to legally live and work in the U.S. for up to 18 months – and to train pro bono lawyers to help even more potential applicants.

Click here to read article.

After Haiti refugee detainment, Obama must get control of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - NYDailyNews.com

April 4th, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

"Rather than being welcomed in the U. S. of A, and getting the refuge that they expected, they were detained for two months here at the Broward facility," said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.

Click here to read article.

Haitians released from U.S. detention. - UPI.com

April 2nd, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

Most of those detained came to the United States on military planes, according to Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center attorney Allison Kent. Some were waved onto waiting military planes by U.S. Marines while others wound up in lines to board a plane out of the country when they were at the airport searching for food.

Click here to read article.

33 Haitian quake survivors freed by immigration officials in Florida - CNN

April 2nd, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

"Our clients' prolonged detention only exacerbated the terrible trauma they had already suffered before fleeing Haiti," said Cheryl Little, center executive director. "While we're obviously thrilled and grateful that this group will finally be able to attempt to recover from their horrific experiences, it's difficult to understand why they weren't released sooner."

Click here to read article.

Quake Survivors Freed From Immigration Jails - NYT

April 1st, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

Lawyers at the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, who had urged their release for weeks, were jubilant as they waited with relatives outside the Broward County Transitional Center, a privately operated jail in Pompano Beach, for the last ones to walk out. Immigration officials said 40 Haitian survivors would be released on orders of supervision by nightfall. This came on the day that The New York Times reported that at least 30 earthquake survivors were being detained.

Click here to read article.

30 Haitians who came to Fla. without visas freed - Chron.com | Top AP Stories.

April 1st, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

"We knew these Haitians were not about to be deported because of our government's policy. They didn't have criminal histories. They had suffered terribly. We just couldn't figure out why they weren't being released," said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, which worked for the Haitians' release.

Click here to read article.

EE.UU. liberará a 30 haitianos rescatados tras el terremoto que estaban en custodia - EFE.

April 1st, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

Cheryl Little, directora ejecutiva de la FIAC, manifestó que la "prolongada detención de los haitianos sólo ha exacerbado el trauma terrible que padecían antes de ser trasladados de Haití" a Estados Unidos.

Click here to read article.

Liberan a 30 haitianos que llegaron sin visa a EEUU tras sismo - UNIVISION.com

April 1st, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

"Sabíamos que estos haitianos no serían deportados debido a la política de nuestro gobierno", dijo el director ejecutivo del centro, Cheryl Little. El centro representó a algunos de los damnificados.

Click here to read article.

Haitians who escaped to US freed. - Global Times

April 1st, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

Beyond their precarious immigration status, many in the group are deeply traumatized, said Charu al-Sahli, statewide director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC). "It's striking to me how many are clearly showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder," said al-Sahli, adding one of the detainees has suffered several panic attacks in detention.

Click here to read article.

Haitians who escaped to US freed. - Global Times

April 1st, 2010 | 6:00PM EST

Beyond their precarious immigration status, many in the group are deeply traumatized, said Charu al-Sahli, statewide director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC). "It's striking to me how many are clearly showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder," said al-Sahli, adding one of the detainees has suffered several panic attacks in detention.

Click here to read article.