OUR FAMILIES: JEAN AND JANI






Watch a video about what it's been like for Jean to live under the threat of losing his family.

Why Does My Family Have to Be Destroyed? - Jean

My name is Jean and I am from Haiti. I am Jani's husband and the father of four children: Antoine (17), Janiah (8), Jahsiah (3), and Jamya (5 months). They are all US citizens.

I am a legal permanent resident and a business owner. I came here as a 17-year-old green card holder in 1986. I work hard, pay taxes, and own property in this country. My family is heavily dependent on me for financial, emotional, and moral support.

However, I have an order of deportation to Haiti. I have 16 brothers and sisters, 22 nephews and nieces, plus aunties, uncles, and cousins who live in this country. They are all US citizens or green card holders. Talk about family ties, I have them! So, why do I have to be deported? Why? Why? Why?

When someone gets deported to Haiti, he or she is sent to jail in Haiti. The conditions in those jails are well-documented. Even the United States Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs on Human Rights have classified the conditions as torture and as "being in hell." Many deportees have died in those jails. The lucky ones pay money to get out and are put on supervised release. But sometimes they get kidnapped. Haiti is a country in turmoil, so why is the US deporting people there?

If I am deported, my family will suffer severe hardship. My children would never be safe in Haiti, so my wife will be forced to become a single mother. She, as a college graduate, will have to apply for welfare. My children, who are very attached to me, will no doubt suffer the most. Why does my family have to be destroyed?

Families across the United States are being destroyed every day because of immigration laws that are unjust and anti-families. I have tried my case in all the courts, and every time I was denied. The problem with immigration laws is that judges are not allowed to do what judges are trained to do - to judge and make sure that everyone's best interest is taken into account. Judges have no discretion to consider the imminent impact deportation will have on a U.S. citizen child when the parent is deported for life from this country. Psychologist Keen Berger, PhD, wrote: "Sometimes a father is the crucial difference between a child who becomes a contributing adult versus a criminal, a model citizen or a disturbed member of society." The research is clear, so why is the United States of America - the land of the free, and the country with the highest standard for human rights and children's welfare - destroying the lives of millions of children? Between four and five million children across the country are now without a father or mother because of current immigration laws. Why? Why? Why?

Family unity is the most sacred human right there is. No one, no law, no government should take that right away. Period. Sometimes I cry when I think that I may not be here with my kids for Christmas.

On behalf of all immigrants who are facing deportation and separation from their families, and their loved ones, I want to tell you we need you - as people of faith, as community leaders - we need your voices to help stop the destruction of families.


I Could Be Turned Into a Single Mother Any Day. - Jani

My name is Jani. I was born and raised in Brooklyn. I am a substitute teacher for the New York City public school system.

My family and I are taking sanctuary because my husband Jean made a mistake almost 20 years ago, and the immigration laws will not forgive him. My husband got a conviction when he was a teenager, back in 1989. He did his time. But here we are in 2007, trying to stay together. Deportation is hanging over us anyway. It is double jeopardy. I could be turned into a single mother any day because of this immoral system.

I love my husband. He is a good dad and step-dad. He sacrificed so I could further my education. How could I support my children without him?