Florida Senate Wants Some Haitian Visas Fast-Tracked
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami) – The Florida Senate approved a resolution Tuesday that asked the White House to fast-track visas for Haitians trying to join their relatives in the United States.
Specifically, the state Senate resolution wants Homeland Security to create a Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program.
It would be modeled after a similar program that was created in 2007 to let Cubans join relatives in the United States.
Several members of Congress have asked for a similar program to alleviate the backlog of Haitians trying to join their families. Over the years, more than 100,000 Haitians have successfully petitioned the U.S. to join relatives in this country.
The Florida Senate said a parole program like the one for Cubans would help to discourage Haitians from trying to come into the U.S. illegally.
A similar resolution is currently making its way through the Florida House of Representatives.
