April 26, 2000

12:28 PM

In the late 90's, Sophonie Telcy's mother illegally entered this country from Haiti, looking for a better life for herself and her daughter; last spring she turned the care of the 6-year-old child over to an old friend, returned to Haiti to see a doctor, and died.

Sophonie's father is unknown. She has no legal standing in the US, no residency papers, no health insurance...and, despite a loving family who is willing to care for her, very little chance to stay here. Congressman Alcee Hastings filed House Resolution 4179, "for the relief of Sophonie Telcy," but the bill will almost certainly fail. (read more about it here.)

The bill has been referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims. I'm not sure what to do here to help, but I have listed all the members of this subcommittee on my website if you'd like to write or call.

Any other ideas?

rcb
posted by rebeccablood (2 comments total)

I should have pointed out in my linktext that different immigration rules apply to those who come from Haiti than those who come from Cuba. Elian, who has a father in Cuba, can easily be considered for permanent resident status; this little girl, with no one to go home to, will not be, simply because she is from the wrong country.

rcb
posted by rebeccablood at 1:22 PM on April 26, 2000

adoption
posted by faisal at 1:44 PM on April 26, 2000