SAN DIEGO, United States (CMC) – The California-based Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) has honoured Haiti’s revolutionary legacy as the first free Black republic, calling for reparations from France, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) extension for Haitians residing in the United States and justice for the Haitian people.Haiti gained its independence from France in 1804 following the only successful slave revolt in modern history.

“Haiti remains a global symbol of Black liberation, resistance, and self-determination,” HBA Executive Director Guerline Jozef told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), commemorating the creation of the Haitian flag in 1803 during the final days of the Arcahaie Congress.

“As we commemorate this historic occasion, we call for reparative justice from France and the extension of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian nationals.”

“This year’s commemoration comes amid an escalating humanitarian crisis in Haiti,” she added, noting that the United Nations and humanitarian agencies report that about 1.4 million Haitians have been displaced by violence and instability, while millions face severe food insecurity and limited access to basic services.

Jozef said an estimated 2.6 million children in Haiti are in need of humanitarian assistance.

“Nonetheless, Haitian Americans, including TPS holders, play an essential role in sustaining the US economy and workforce,” she said, stating that Haitian TPS holders alone contribute about US$5.9 billion annually to the US economy.

Jozef said Haitians pay an estimated US$1.5 billion annually in federal, state, and local taxes, and that, roughly 200,000 Haitian TPS holders are active in the US workforce, “filling critical roles in healthcare, caregiving, agriculture, transportation, and service industries.”

Beyond the contributions of the Haitian Diaspora within the United States, she said that, in 2024, about US$4.5 billion in remittances reached Haiti, “serving as a lifeline for families in Haiti and accounting for a significant share of the country’s economy.”

Jozef said HBA also renews calls for reparative justice from France for the “independence debt imposed on Haiti after its independence — a historic financial burden widely recognised as having severely undermined Haiti’s economic development for generations.

“Haitian Flag Day is a reminder that Haiti changed the course of world history through its fight for Black freedom,” she said. “Yet, more than two centuries later, Haitians continue to confront the consequences of historic exploitation, political instability, anti-Black immigration policies, and family separation.

“The international community cannot pretend to celebrate Haiti’s revolutionary legacy while ignoring the conditions forcing Haitians to flee and the foreign and domestic policies that continue to destabilise Haitian lives,” she added.

Through robust advocacy led by HBA and its partners, Jozef noted that the US House of Representatives, under the “fierce leadership” of Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, passed legislation last month to extend TPS for Haitian nationals for three years.

Jozef said HBA has been “actively engaging” with the US Senate to advance passage of a corresponding measure.

She said HBA continues to advocate across both Congress and the courts—not only on behalf of Haitian TPS recipients, but for immigrant communities more broadly, with particular attention to those from marginalised backgrounds.

“On this Haitian Flag Day, Haitian Bridge Alliance calls for an end to deportations to Haiti, the protection of Haitian families, meaningful international engagement centred on Haitian-led solutions, and serious dialogue surrounding reparative justice and long-term stability for the Haitian people so they can thrive and prosper,” Jozef said.