For immediate release
May 22, 2017

Jeremy Cruz-Haicken

407-462-6049

[email protected]

Haitian Community, Hospitality Union to Rally at Universal Studios

Demand that Trump Grant Long-Term Renewal of TPS for Haitian Refugees

OrlandoTPSHonduran, Nicaraguan, Salvadoran Refugees Will Be Affected in January 2018

ORLANDO, FL—The Central Florida Hospitality Union, UNITE HERE, along with Haitian refugees, hospitality workers and faith leaders will rally tomorrow at 5:00 pm in front of Universal Studios to demand that the Trump administration grant a long-term renewal of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian refugees.

The rally will highlight the key role Haitian workers play in Central Florida’s tourism economy and the devastating impact of a decision to eliminate TPS for Haitians.

While Disney – with a unionized workforce – has publicly supported an extension of TPS, Universal Studios and other large employers of Haitians have remained silent.

Nearly 500 unionized Haitian Disney Cast Members are covered by TPS.  Thousands of additional Central Florida hospitality workers employed by other businesses may also be affected.

The Rev. Jean-Caroll Bernadin of Eglise Baptiste Haitienne Philadelphie has put out a call for the rally on Haitian community radio, La Voix Evangelique d’Orlando.  His Church and UNITE HERE co-hosted a community meeting attended by 2,000 people on Saturday, May 13.

TPS for thousands of refugees from El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras is set to expire in 2018.

Minutes ago, the Administration announced a 6-month extension of TPS, unlike the 18-month extension granted by the Obama Administration.

“Forcing refugees from a devastated country to live on edge for 6 months is unacceptable,” said UNITE HERE Local 737’s president, Jeremy Cruz-Haicken.  “These hardworking, tax-paying refugees support Central Florida’s economy and they deserve long-term certainty.  We’ll take these 6 months to fight for a long-term solution.”

Background information:

WHO:             Haitian Community, Haitian Faith Leaders, Hospitality Union Leaders
WHAT:          Rally at Universal Studios to ask President Trump for a long-term renewal of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian refugees.
WHEN:          Tuesday, May 23, 5:00 pm
WHERE:       Entrance to Universal Studios at Kirkman Rd. and Major Blvd.

UNITE HERE represents 23,000 Walt Disney World Cast Members who work in the Food & Beverage, Housekeeping, Attractions and Custodial departments.