Rep. Barbara Lee: From Chisholm’s influence to championing Caribbean policy and Haitian advocacy

By Dhanha C. Bien-Aime

As a young woman, Rep. Barbara Lee had already laid the groundwork to cement her work and legacy in the history books. As president of the Black Student Union at Mills College in California, she invited Shirley Chisolm, the first Black woman in Congress, to speak at her campus. Chisolm, whose parents hailed from Guyana and Barbados, was a dynamic figure in American politics from 1969 to 1983, putting New York and Brooklyn on the map on a national stage. 

Soon after that encounter, she found herself working on Chisolm’s presidential campaign and being mentored by the proud Caribbean woman who made sure to embed her culture and identity in every aspect of her work. 

“Shirley Chisholm, my mentor and the first Black woman elected to Congress, opened my eyes to the importance of Caribbean policy,” said Lee, who represents California’s 12th congressional district. 

In 1990, Lee was elected to the California State Assembly, where she served until 1996, when she was elected to the State Senate. She served in the State Senate for two years before being elected in 1998 to represent California’s 12th congressional district – formerly the 9th – in a special election.

“[Shirley’s] Barbadian roots instilled in her a deep understanding of the region’s challenges and potential. She taught me that the Caribbean isn’t just a vacation destination but a vital part of our hemisphere with rich cultural ties to the United States. Shirley’s passion for addressing issues like economic development, climate resilience, and immigration in the Caribbean inspired me to advocate for these causes.

“This understanding was further deepened by my personal experiences with the region. My involvement with U.S.-Grenada relations, including my son’s education there, gave me firsthand insight into the importance of fostering strong ties between our nations,” she explained to The Haitian Times.  “These experiences reinforced Shirley’s teachings and showed me the real-world impact of engaged foreign policy in the Caribbean.”

According to the 2019 US Census Bureau ACS, there are approximately more than 8.5 million individuals living in the United States from a Caribbean country or who have Caribbean ancestry, with 1.2 million people from Haiti or Haitian ancestry. 

Recognizing the size and influence of the Haitian and Caribbean Diaspora in the United States, in 2005, she drafted the resolution that would lead to the national recognition of June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

“Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s tireless advocacy on behalf of Caribbean communities has been instrumental in shaping policies that benefit Caribbeans at home and the diaspora in the U.S.,” Rep. Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick said. The Haitian-American legislator represents the 20th congressional district in Florida.

“Her leadership on the resolution recognizing June as Caribbean American Heritage Month has not only helped solidify, unveil, and amplify the significant contributions of Caribbean Americans in our society but has also strengthened the cooperation between the United States and the Caribbean region, fostering cultural understanding.”

America’s third border

The United States has a long and multifaceted relationship with the Caribbean, marked by economic, political, and cultural interactions. Historically, the U.S. has engaged with the region through trade, military interventions, and diplomatic efforts. In recent decades, U.S. engagement with the Caribbean has included efforts to address climate change, disaster relief, and economic development. 

Lee’s work with Chisolm exposed her to the Caribbean culture of the region, giving her a firsthand look at the region’s needs. This exposure has allowed her to champion the Caribbean and advocate for its needs.

As the chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, she passed the State, Foreign, Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, which increased funding for the Caribbean by 25% to $105 million.

“The islands of the Caribbean represent America’s third border and I am proud that we share a vibrant cultural, social and economic bond,” said Lee in a statement about the passage of the bill. “Thirteen million Americans—over four percent of the US population—trace their heritage to the Caribbean. It’s crucial that we reestablish our partnership with countries in the Caribbean and invest in the economic growth and development of our neighbors to the south.”

Her work was felt in the Haitian community in 1998 when she co-sponsored the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act, providing a path for permanent residency for Haitian nationals who arrived in the U.S. before 1996. 

At that time, Haiti was experiencing significant economic instability following the departure of its then-president, Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier. Many Haitians fled the country to the United States using both legal and illegal pathways. The U.S. government classified the individuals who came to the U.S. through illegal channels as migrants rather than refugees, making them ineligible for asylum. As a result, many were placed in detention centers as they awaited deportation. 

The legislation was meant to give a “second chance” for many Haitian refugees to obtain lawful residency in the United States.

Most recently, she introduced the Haitian Emergency Life Protection Act of 2010, which provided temporary protected status (TPS)to Haitians in the U.S. after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti that killed hundreds of thousands and caused millions of dollars in damage to the island. Two years later, Rep. Yvette Clarke of the 9th district of New York would reintroduce the bill to expand TPS eligibility for Haitians and increase aid to Haiti.

“[Congresswoman Lee’s] unwavering support for comprehensive immigration reform and temporary protected status has provided hope and stability for countless families,” Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, said.  “[Her] advocacy for equitable foreign policy and sustainable development in the Caribbean demonstrates her deep commitment to our community.”

Political and economic instability in Haiti has persisted over the last decade following the 2010 earthquake. In 2021, the country’s president, Jovenel Möise, was assassinated in his home. His killing created a power vacuum, leading to political infighting and increased violence as armed gangs seized control of the capital, Port-au-Prince.  In June 2024, Kenyan police officers, part of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, supported by the U.S., landed in Haiti to make the first steps in attempting to bring peace and stability to the capital. 

“We’ve made significant progress, but there’s still much work to do, especially when we look at the ongoing challenges in Haiti,”  said Lee, who’s also a member of the Congressional Caribbean Caucus.  “The recent political instability and security crisis there remind us of the critical need for sustained engagement and support.

“I’m pushing for the U.S. to support peaceful, Haitian-led solutions to the current crisis,” Lee said about the current state of affairs in Port-au-Prince. 

“[Chisolhm’s] legacy, combined with my own experiences, reminds [me] that effective foreign policy must include engaging with and supporting our Caribbean neighbors. “I carry this vision forward in my work to strengthen U.S.-Caribbean relations, recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities each island nation presents.”

The post Rep. Barbara Lee: From Chisholm’s influence to championing Caribbean policy and Haitian advocacy appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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Rep. Barbara Lee: From Chisholm’s influence to championing Caribbean policy and Haitian advocacy was first posted on July 21, 2024 at 1:41 pm.