Invitation to Testify at Boston City Council Hearing on Civil Rights and Immigrant Advocacy Regarding Haitian TPS Status.

Invitation to Testify at Boston City Council Hearing on Civil Rights and Immigrant Advocacy Regarding Haitian TPS Status

Invitation to Testify at Boston City Council Hearing on Civil Rights and Immigrant Advocacy Regarding Haitian TPS Status.

On Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 11 a.m., I attended a hearing at Boston City Hall focused on the case for extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants in the United States. My invitation came from Miniard Culpepper, the City Councilor for District 7 in Boston, Massachusetts. I had the honor of being one of the panelists discussing the significance of TPS and the potential implications its suspension could have on both immigrant and American families.

During the hearing, I introduced myself as a member of the Black Men Political Task Force (BMPTF), a 501(c)4 organization based in Massachusetts. I also shared my role as the President of the ITIYAyiti Political Party in Haiti and as the CEO of ITIAHaiti, a 501(c)(3) literary organization in Massachusetts. I mentioned that I had previously run for Haitian Congress in 2015, and I withdrew from the 2016 Senate race due to discrimination I faced as a young advocate for youth, inclusion, and social cohesion.

I highlighted the importance of education in the Creole language right from my introduction. After sharing my name, Wilson Thelimo Louis, I explained how I translated it into Creole as Wilsonn Telimo Lwi following my naturalization as an American in October 2024. My goal is to promote education in our mother tongue. Additionally, I didn't just come to the hearing to advocate for the extension of TPS for Haitians; I also wanted all Americans to recognize Haiti as the first independent Black nation in the world. We should honor not only Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X but also the contributions of Jean Jacques Dessalines, the leader of the First Negro Republic, whose fight for independence holds historical significance for all Black people globally.

I reminded the audience that there seems to be an effort to erase Dessalines' history. This is evident in how his actions against white settlers who enslaved Black individuals during the colonial period have been overlooked. Because of this, there are no statues of Dessalines or places named in his honor in Massachusetts. If we struggle to defend Haiti's history, how can we effectively advocate for the identity of Haitians in the diaspora?

I stressed that advocating for TPS for Haitians should not be seen as a favor or an act of charity; rather, it is a matter of human rights. As stated in the 1948 Declaration of Human Rights, all people are equal before the law, and all nations hold equal standing under international law. It is important to note that no Haitian or immigrant should be treated as illegal in the United States, especially when the U.S. plays a role in destabilizing these individuals' home countries through entities like the Core Group, which consists of nations like France, Canada, England, and Spain. Their actions force individuals to leave their countries in search of better opportunities in the U.S. or elsewhere.

I pointed out that if I, Wilsonn Telimo Lwi, could have earned even $200 a month in Haiti, I would have chosen to stay. Haiti truly is a paradise, a land blessed with potential; however, political manipulation by powerful nations has made it increasingly unlivable. It is crucial for the Mayor of Boston to not only assist immigrants in learning English but also to promote their participation in vocational training while they await their work permits. This way, they won't find themselves stuck in menial jobs upon gaining authorization.

I emphasized that all Haitians speak Creole, yet the education of the population is conducted in French—a language that 95% of them do not speak, understand, read, or write. This disconnect leaves many immigrants struggling even to use a computer mouse. They often feel pressured to claim they speak French to be perceived as human or worthy, mistakenly thinking that speaking Creole makes them seem inferior. Additionally, I highlighted that the education system fails 90% of cohort high school students, and fewer than 3% of those who complete high school in Haiti gain access to university, according to the Haitian Ministry of National Education. I propose a partnership for municipal councilors to tackle this issue at its core by engaging with the Massachusetts government on developing bilingual education that promotes both Creole and English, allowing Haitian immigrants to adapt more smoothly to the American job market.

I also took a stand against Pastor Kiki, a fellow panelist, to stress that philanthropic efforts shouldn't stop at providing food and paying rent. I urged the mayor to explore ways to assist those on humanitarian status—specifically, beneficiaries of the Biden program—who have lost their jobs. They should receive unemployment assistance for at least 30 weeks, just like any other employee in Massachusetts who faces unemployment through no fault of their own. The state should also consider funding up to $10,000 for vocational training, similar to what it offers to other workers who have lost their jobs, as these individuals have contributed to the tax system. Without this support, many Haitians risk remaining isolated at home, raising children, and engaging in activities that may lead them back to the negative behaviors they once faced in Haiti, including delinquency and kidnapping. Philanthropy should focus not only on immediate needs but also on empowering individuals through education and training.

Furthermore, I stressed that since 95% of Haitians lack proficiency in French, it would be beneficial for the State of Massachusetts to assist adopted immigrants with digital literacy, particularly teaching them basic computer skills. After the hearing, I was interviewed by the Boston Globe, which found my insights compelling and asked permission to share my thoughts publicly. During the session, I also recited a poem titled "An Nou Retounen Lakay," aiming to showcase the power of the Creole language, a tool of liberation for Black individuals, while also evoking the richness of Haitian culture. The poem resonated emotionally with many attendees, who expressed a desire for a copy to reflect on after the event.

Wilsonn Telimo Lwi, Panelist.

Social Communicator, Juris Doctor, and Master of Public Service graduate.