Resolves of the Executive Council

Resolved, That the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church reaffirm its commitment to support a generous, humane United States policy toward those fleeing oppression and injustice; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council commend the leadership role the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Southeast Florida have taken in responding to the needs of Haitian asylum applicants through efforts such as the Haitian Interim Placement Program, support of legal aid programs and Mutual Assistance Associations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council express concern for Haitians currently held in the INS Krome Detention Center in Miami, Florida, where allegations of physical, sexual and psychological abuse have surfaced, and calls for a full investigation to be conducted; and be it further

Resolved, That asylum applicants pending adjudication be released from detention to their families or voluntary agencies while they await decisions; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council condemn the practice of the imprisonment by the Haitian government of asylum seekers who have been returned to Haiti; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council call for a suspension of the U.S. policy of the interdiction on the high seas of Haitian asylum seekers, where legal counsel and impartial translation are not present, thereby circumventing due process and denying the right to appeal; and be it further

Resolved, That as the human rights violations in Haiti continue to increase, asylum applications submitted by Haitians be given honest consideration; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Executive Council be instructed to send copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice President, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.S. Coordinator for Refugee Affairs, the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and all dioceses of the Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That members of the Episcopal Church be informed of the adoption of this resolution and encouraged to contact immediately the President, their Senators and Representatives to urge attention to this resolution by all relevant units of the Episcopal Church Center through their respective networks.