WASHINGTON, DC – FWD.us President Todd Schulte issued the following statement today in honor of Guerline Jozef, co-founder and executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, receiving this year’s Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award:

“Guerline Jozef is a true hero, and no one is more deserving of an award celebrating courage in the pursuit of human rights and social justice. Through her leadership of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, Guerline has not only dedicated her life to defending the rights and dignity of Haitian and Black immigrants and saved countless lives, but has shone a light on our cruel and long-broken immigration system that disproportionately disadvantages Black, brown, and indigenous people seeking protection. She continues to be a leader advocating against cruel and inhumane policies that harm people seeking asylum, particularly Black migrants, such as Title 42, and the outrageous continued deportation of Haitians.

“We thank Guerline for being the warrior who she is and congratulate her on this week. She deserves recognition, and it is our hope that it propels others to join us in continuing to support her incredible work. As we recognize and celebrate the work Guerline continues to do, we lift up her voice and echo her calls for the Biden Administration to end Title 42 and to halt the deportations of Haitians.”