Council Member Lewis on Haitian immigration protections, Wyclef Jean Day, and Reggaeton Heritage Month

Councilmember Farrah Lewis, followed by Shulman.

Thank you, Majority Leader.

The sudden and unexpected passing of my father has left a profound void for my family and my community.

I just wanted to take a moment to thank every colleague who called, text, attended home going services for my father, and sent flowers and kind words.

I truly appreciate every gesture.

Today, I am proud to introduce three resolutions.

For Haitian New Yorkers, unsound immigration policy has unfairly determined whether thousands of families can continue to work, provide for their loved ones, and remain safely rooted in the communities they call home.

And what we are witnessing today is nothing short of cruel.

Haitians are being forced to wear ankle monitors, treated not as essential members of this city, but as criminals.

We have seen the pain this inflicts firsthand in the story.

of Pierre Damas and so many others that have been humiliated, destabilized, and living in fear.

That is disparate treatment and injustice, and this body must say so clearly.

At a time when Haiti continues to face devastating violence and displacement and humanitarian crisis, stripping these

protections puts our communities at risk.

Reso 626 will urge the Senate to pass S4814 to preserve these critical protections.

I am also proud to introduce two resolutions celebrating the extraordinary cultural contributions of the Haitian and Afro-Caribbean diaspora.

Resolution 624 designates October 17th as Wyclef Jean Day,

honoring a Brooklyn-born Haitian, a Brooklyn-raised Haitian-born artistic artist whose music, philanthropy, and cultural pride have left an indelible mark in our city and world.

And finally, Reso 625 would recognize October as Reggaeton Heritage Month, honoring a genre rooted in Afro-Caribbean and Latin American identity and recognizing New York City's pivotal role

in bringing vibrant Caribbean music traditions together.

I urge my colleagues to join all these bills.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember.