In 2021, Paul Pierrilus, a former New Yorker now unjustly exiled in Haiti, pleads for the Biden administration’s intervention to help him return home. He describes his harrowing existence in a nation engulfed in violence and instability. Having moved to New York at five and lived there for over thirty years, he has no ties to Haiti, where he is forced to navigate life as a stateless individual in constant danger.
For nearly four years, Paul has lived in the shadows, experiencing the horrors of a country with one of the highest murder rates globally. Despite his previous drug-related conviction, which he has worked hard to atone for, he finds himself facing a double punishment: first through incarceration and then through deportation, which has thrust him into a perilous and unfamiliar landscape.
Haiti’s humanitarian crisis unfolds around him as he dodges gunfire, grapples with disease, and endures villager suspicion that brands him a target. Without any identification or legal status, Paul cannot seek help or protection. His fluency in Haitian Creole is limited, leaving him isolated and voiceless amid chaos, where identity means survival.
America’s commitment to second chances is crucial. Paul earned a full pardon from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who recognized his transformation and contributions to society. Yet, he remains trapped in Haiti, where his safety is constantly jeopardized. With an urgent plea to President Biden, he seeks the same mercy granted to others in similar situations, longing for reunification with his family and freedom from this nightmare.
Paul fervently believes in the ideals of liberty and justice that America embodies. Having once recited the pledge of allegiance, he longs to return home. As the clock ticks toward a fourth year in exile, he implores the Biden administration to correct this injustice and restore his dignity, as every individual deserves the right to live a safe and fulfilling life, free from the shadows of the past.
– Paul Pierrilus, a former New Yorker, unjustly deported to Haiti in 2021. – Lives in constant danger in a country with high violence rates. – Faces double punishment for past mistakes despite rehabilitation. – Urges President Biden for intervention and a chance to return home. – Advocates for principles of liberty and justice.
Paul Pierrilus’s story highlights the challenges faced by those unjustly deported and illustrates the pressing need for humane immigration policies. Despite overcoming his past mistakes and earning a pardon, he remains trapped in a perilous environment. His heartfelt plea to President Biden underscores the urgent call for compassion and the restoration of dignity for individuals like him, who deserve a chance to safely return home.
Paul Pierrilus was born to Haitian parents but has lived most of his life in New York. He was deported in 2021 after serving time for a previous drug offense, a situation he describes as an unjust exile. Living in Haiti, he faces extreme dangers, including gang violence and a lack of basic necessities. His fight is not just for himself but for the principles of justice and compassion that America is meant to uphold.
Original Source: rfkhumanrights.org
