The full text of the Presiding Bishop's letter to Bush follows.

April 4, 2007

The Honorable George W. Bush  
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

I have been deeply saddened by recent news that Haitian brothers and sisters who were interdicted in their flight from the violence of their native Haiti now find themselves in an equally perilous situation as detainees. Equally disturbing is the fact that many Haitians now in the United States without status face the imminent prospect of being deported to the turmoil of their homeland. I would, therefore, ask that the administration release those recent arrivals from detention and permit them to remain in the United States. Their trauma should not be compounded by isolation and neglect. In addition, temporary protected status should be granted those Haitians in the United States who risk deportation. Returning them to Haiti at this time would be a cruel and unjust act. 

The Episcopal Church has long advocated for the just treatment of Haitians seeking safety on our shores. In the past, we have appealed to the Government to extend temporary protected status to Haitians residing in the United States and to end its policy of interdicting Haitians at sea without fairly examining their claims for asylum. We have also pressed for legislation that would allow Haitians residing in the United States but lacking status, many of whom with American born children, to remain here until they can safely return to Haiti. We have been deeply concerned about the persistent tragedy facing the Haitian people and our failure as a nation to respond fairly to their attempts to find refuge in our land. Moreover, the diocese of Haiti is one of the largest of our church and thus we have a special concern for its people and their ability to live in peace and safety.

Tragically, the unfair treatment of our Haitian friends continues as we witness the incarceration of more than one hundred interdicted Haitian nationals. The fact that these persons arrived in horrible condition, having lost one of their members to the perils of the journey, could be compounded by the possibility that these courageous souls could be dispersed to detention facilities outside south Florida, thus removing them from the assistance available through churches, family and friends who have long advocated for their well being. These vulnerable persons need support as they attempt to present their claims for remaining in the United States. They also need speedy access to our asylum system and assurances that they will not be returned to the violence from which they have fled.

For years, our nation has been unwilling to acknowledge the plight of our Haitian neighbors. We have resisted taking legislative and administrative steps which would give them the justice which those fleeing persecution and violence deserve. The compassion that has so often greeted other refugees has been denied Haitians. I would ask that your administration reverse this trend. The current situation of Haitians taking extraordinary risk to be free from persecution and violence provides an opportunity for our country to pursue more just measures on their behalf. 

As the Easter season approaches, we pray that the despair facing our Haitian sisters and brothers will be replaced by the hope for new life that is lifted up during this blessed season. I ask that your leadership on this humanitarian issue be a part of that realization.

Faithfully,

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church