--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The U.S. has long characterized Haitian…" description: "\"The U.S. has long characterized Haitian immigrants as criminals. This tradition began in 1963 when the first boat of Haitians seeking political asylum ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4e/opal-tometi-9098_boat_the-u-s-has-long-characterized-haitian-i_2393399.jpg" --- # The U.S. has long characterized Haitian immigrants as… ![“The U.S. has long characterized Haitian immigrants as criminals. This tradition began in 1963 when the first boat of Haitians seeking political asylum was summarily rejected by U.S. immigration officials, while at the same time the U.S. admitted thousands of Cubans as refugees and political asylees.” quote by Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4e/opal-tometi-9098_boat_the-u-s-has-long-characterized-haitian-i_2393399.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4e/opal-tometi-9098_boat_the-u-s-has-long-characterized-haitian-i_2393399.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4e/opal-tometi-9098_boat_the-u-s-has-long-characterized-haitian-i_2393399.jpg) > “The U.S. has long characterized Haitian immigrants as criminals. This tradition began in 1963 when the first boat of Haitians seeking political asylum was summarily rejected by U.S. immigration officials, while at the same time the U.S. admitted thousands of Cubans as refugees and political asylees.” [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The U.S. has historically portrayed Haitian migrants as criminals, contrasting them with Cubans who were welcomed as refugees, reflecting bias and unequal treatment. **In simple terms:** Haitian migrants were unfairly labeled criminals while Cubans were accepted as refugees. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge immigration bias. Themes immigration bias policy human rights race history Mood critical reflective concerned Type analytical advocacy historical When to use this quote - policy analysis - human rights advocacy - media reporting - education - community organizing Key Concepts stereotyping asylum law political narratives Questions to Reflect On - How does media framing affect public perception of different immigrant groups? - What steps can be taken to ensure equitable treatment of all refugees? A Different Perspective The narrative overlooks economic and political factors influencing policy decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Immigration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigration/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) ## Related quotes > [A lot of these liberal churches that harbor illegal immigrants who are criminals say they are following the example of Jesus. They are following…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jeffress/a-lot-of-these-liberal-churches-that-harbor-illegal-immigrants-who/) [Robert Jeffress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jeffress/) > [The U.S.' refusal to acknowledge the plight of displaced Haitians and maintaining inhumane practices of neglect, disrespect, and violence amounts to a gross violation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/the-u-s-refusal-to-acknowledge-the-plight-of-displaced-haitians-and/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [Indeed, many of the illegal crossers who have entered the country in the last two years after being detained have actually been either unaccompanied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bersin/indeed-many-of-the-illegal-crossers-who-have-entered-the-country-in/) [Alan Bersin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bersin/) > [Let us not compare Edward Snowden's situation with that of Chelsea Manning or Jeremy Hammond, who is also imprisoned in the United States. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/let-us-not-compare-edward-snowden-s-situation-with-that-of-chelsea/) [Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/) > [Statistics tell us that of the 500,000 people who arrived, those who are granted political asylum are more or less 10 percent. I mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matteo-salvini/statistics-tell-us-that-of-the-500-000-people-who-arrived-those-who/) [Matteo Salvini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matteo-salvini/) > [My parents and I entered the U.S. legally, but when it was time for our visa extension, we were turned down. Returning to China…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leana-s-wen/my-parents-and-i-entered-the-u-s-legally-but-when-it-was-time-for-our/) [Leana S. Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leana-s-wen/) > [I hope the Icelandic government grants me political asylum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-fischer/i-hope-the-icelandic-government-grants-me-political-asylum/) [Bobby Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-fischer/) > [I would be happy to accept asylum, political asylum, in India — a nation I love. In return, I will bring Mayawati a range…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/i-would-be-happy-to-accept-asylum-political-asylum-in-india-a-nation/) [Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/) > [Every time I am on air, I will receive actually quite a few messages that specifically tie me to the Chinese Communist Party -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leana-s-wen/every-time-i-am-on-air-i-will-receive-actually-quite-a-few-messages/) [Leana S. Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leana-s-wen/) > [The Chinese describe themselves as political refugees. Many base that claim on China's strict population laws, which allow them to have only one child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-chinese-describe-themselves-as-political-refugees-many-base-that/) [Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/) > [Haitians do not need development programs imposed on them by expatriates. Instead, they need help in developing as self-assured persons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-campolo/haitians-do-not-need-development-programs-imposed-on-them-by/) [Tony Campolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-campolo/) > [We have problems which will be addressed by Haitians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-bertrand-aristide/we-have-problems-which-will-be-addressed-by-haitians/) [Jean-Bertrand Aristide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-bertrand-aristide/) > [Many Haitians don't want to participate in something they think will be violent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jovenel-moise/many-haitians-don-t-want-to-participate-in-something-they-think-will/) [Jovenel Moise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jovenel-moise/) > [Haitians must understand that they have to collaborate to resolve the country's problems - no one is coming to rescue them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jovenel-moise/haitians-must-understand-that-they-have-to-collaborate-to-resolve-the/) [Jovenel Moise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jovenel-moise/) > [On February 7, 2.2 million Haitians went to the polls and exercised their constitutional right to select a leader. They went by foot, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-foley/on-february-7-2-2-million-haitians-went-to-the-polls-and-exercised/) [Mark Foley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-foley/) ## More by Opal Tometi > [There are always groups on campus that are doing amazing things. I know when I was in college, I was a student at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/there-are-always-groups-on-campus-that-are-doing-amazing-things-i/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [Let's demonstrate, illustrate, the ways in which our communities are being undermined time and time again, and make sure that the broader public and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/let-s-demonstrate-illustrate-the-ways-in-which-our-communities-are/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [Being in the immigrant rights space, I've heard a lot of transactional talk with questions like, 'When will black people show up for immigrants?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/being-in-the-immigrant-rights-space-i-ve-heard-a-lot-of-transactional/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [Our communities are reeling from poverty, from unemployment, from discrimination of all sorts and different interactions that they're having with the law enforcement, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/our-communities-are-reeling-from-poverty-from-unemployment-from/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [Antiblack racism is not only happening in the United States. It's actually happening all across the globe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/antiblack-racism-is-not-only-happening-in-the-united-states-it-s/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [I'm really looking for an agenda that looks at safety for our communities beyond policing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/i-m-really-looking-for-an-agenda-that-looks-at-safety-for-our/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [I just look back at my time in college and think about how much my community activism and my work in neighborhoods really informed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/i-just-look-back-at-my-time-in-college-and-think-about-how-much-my/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [Trump's racism has clearly driven his policy decisions during his first year in office - from his Muslim ban and his despicable treatment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/trump-s-racism-has-clearly-driven-his-policy-decisions-during-his/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [I have two younger brothers, and I know my parents have spoken to them about driving and interacting with police. They didn't have those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/i-have-two-younger-brothers-and-i-know-my-parents-have-spoken-to-them/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [Lean into your curiosity about any issue, and there will likely be people to share a little bit more of their knowledge and insight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/lean-into-your-curiosity-about-any-issue-and-there-will-likely-be/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [We can't continue to sit on our hands and sit idly by as people are being brutalized, disenfranchised, and left out of the system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/we-can-t-continue-to-sit-on-our-hands-and-sit-idly-by-as-people-are/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [Far from ending, systemic racism reinvents itself to conform to what is publically acceptable, leaving the quality of black life diminished and more permanently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/far-from-ending-systemic-racism-reinvents-itself-to-conform-to-what/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [Some of us have held the hands of friends or brothers as they struggled with military and police academy recruiters, and though many of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/some-of-us-have-held-the-hands-of-friends-or-brothers-as-they/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [Only when the oppressed are heard can we have an honest solutions based dialogue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/only-when-the-oppressed-are-heard-can-we-have-an-honest-solutions/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [We know that there are people in our nation, black people, who are systematically being disenfranchised in a number of spheres in our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/we-know-that-there-are-people-in-our-nation-black-people-who-are/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) [Explore all 75 Opal Tometi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) ## More Boat quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. 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