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Editor, Asbury Park Sun,

When we settled in Asbury Park, over 10 years ago, we were unaware of the vibrant presence of Haitians in the Asbury Park and Neptune community. But soon we discovered First United Methodist Church, its Pastor Sony Augustine, his wife Mona, and its Haitian members. I became an Assistant Pastor at the Church, and learned from Pastor Sony, the history of Haiti, and its challenge to slavery by defeating the armies of Napoleon Bonaparte.

I became a customer of Sir Jeans Barber Shop on Main Street, it is Haitian owned and patronized. Grace and I took flowers to both the Barber Shop and the Church following the earthquake in Haiti. It was our way of expressing our solidarity with our Haitian sisters and brothers.

On Nov. 21, 2017, The New York Times had a front page story about the Trump administration’s plan to end the humanitarian program that “allowed some 59,000 Haitians to live and work in the United States, since the 2010 earthquake…Those with Temporary Protected Status are expected to leave the US by July 2019 or face deportation.”

I, members of my family and many, many African Americans migrated to the north because of racial segregation in the south. When we remember that history, many of us are concerned about deportation of persons from Mexico and other nations, and of persons from Haiti.

I share this concern with the readers, not to suggest any specific action, but to express concerns that I know many of us share.

Rev. Gil Caldwell

Ocean Avenue

[These letters represents the opinion of its writer and is not representative of any opinion of the Asbury Park Sun staff. All readers are welcome to submit Letters to the Editor to news@asburyparksun.com for our consideration. For guidelines on letter-writing and submission, click here.] 

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