Miami, FL (Le Floridien) -Several Florida state lawmakers — many of them with Haitian roots or strong connections to the Haitian American community — will join forces today in a virtual press conference to publicly denounce former President Donald Trump’s newly reinstated and expanded federal travel ban.
State Representatives Dotie Joseph (HD-108), Marie Woodson (HD-105), and Wallace Aristide (HD-107), all of whom are of Haitian descent, will be among the key voices at the event. They will be joined by Representatives Anna V. Eskamani (HD-42) and Johanna Lopez (HD-43), who represent diverse districts heavily impacted by U.S. immigration policies.
The travel ban, which now targets 19 countries — many of which have significant diaspora communities in Florida — has sparked outrage for what critics call its discriminatory underpinnings and devastating human impact. The move raises concerns about family separation, barriers to travel, and constitutional violations.
For Florida’s Haitian American lawmakers and their constituents, the issue hits particularly close to home. South Florida is home to one of the largest Haitian communities in the United States, with families who regularly travel to and from Haiti and maintain close cultural and familial ties.
“The Haitian American community in Florida knows all too well the pain of being targeted by discriminatory immigration policies,” said Rep. Dotie Joseph, who has long advocated for immigrant rights. “We will not stay silent while families are separated and communities are marginalized.”
Rep. Marie Woodson, another Haitian American legislator, echoed those concerns. “This travel ban not only violates basic human rights, but it also disproportionately impacts our Haitian community and other immigrant communities across the state,” Woodson said.
Rep. Wallace Aristide, elected in 2024 as the first Haitian American to represent House District 107, emphasized the broader implications. “An attack on one immigrant community is an attack on all of us,” Aristide said. “We must come together to push back against this policy and stand up for Florida’s diverse communities.”
The press conference is scheduled for Friday, June 6th, from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. The public can livestream the event via Facebook.com/AnnaForFlorida.
Event Details:
What: Virtual Press Conference: State Lawmakers Respond to Trump’s Travel Ban
Who:
Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (HD-42)
Rep. Dotie Joseph (HD-108)
Rep. Marie Woodson (HD-105)
Rep. Johanna Lopez (HD-43)
Rep. Wallace Aristide (HD-107)
When: Friday, June 6th, 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: RSVP with anna.eskamani@flhouse.gov for link or watch the livestream.
As Florida’s Haitian American elected officials prepare to take a stand, their message is clear: they will continue to advocate for policies that respect the dignity of all immigrant communities and oppose efforts that divide families and perpetuate injustice.
