August 27, 2024

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Joan Agoh, 323.443.2681, [email protected]
Paige Censale, [email protected]
Victor Romero-Hernandez, 505.209.5812, [email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC – Nearly three years ago, in September 2021, the world witnessed U.S. Border Patrol agents on horseback wielding whip-like lariats against Haitian asylum seeker Mirard Joseph in Del Rio, Texas. Joseph and other asylum seekers, together with the Haitian Bridge Alliance, filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration demanding accountability for its human rights violations of Haitians seeking safety. The abuses by U.S. government defendants, including U.S. Border Patrol, involved brutal physical and verbal treatment against Black migrants, their confinement in inhumane conditions, and their summary expulsion from the United States without the chance to exercise their legal right to seek asylum protection.

COURT HEARING DETAILS:

What: Lawyers Maura Sokol of Covington and Burling, LLP and Esther Sung of Justice Action Center will argue on behalf of the plaintiffs for this case to move forward. After the court hearing, some plaintiffs, attorneys for plaintiffs, and advocates will be available for interviews.

Where: U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 333 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington DC 20001

When: Thursday, August 29, 1:00 PM ET

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

This lawsuit was initially filed in December of 2021 and documents the horrific experiences Haitian asylum seekers endured as they lawfully sought refuge at the U.S. border, and additional plaintiffs joined the case in March 2024. Though nearly three years have passed, the plaintiffs continue their fight to hold the U.S. government accountable for its severe misconduct. Despite the clear evidence of rights violations in Del Rio, the government is pushing for the case’s dismissal and has not acknowledged its wrongdoing.

Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys at Haitian Bridge Alliance, Justice Action Center, Innovation Law Lab, and Covington and Burling, LLP.