Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1982-11-14

Duration: 00:23:32

Subjects: Haiti | Refugees | Immigration | Haitians

Contributors:

• Sexton, Sharon Elizabeth Host
• Smothers, Yvette Reporter
• Poux, Paddy J. Interviewee
• Tela, Montasse Interviewee
• Baptiste, Yves Interviewee
• Gray, James Interviewee
• LeDuff, Peter Interviewee
• Peoples, Mary Interviewee
• Alexander, Natalie Interviewee
• Alexander, Calvin Interviewee
• Clark, Hillary Interviewee
• Dervil, Ferdinand Interviewee
• Marziale, Louis Interviewee

This episode of the series “Folks” from November 14, 1982, features an in-depth report on the plight of the 102 Haitian refugees in New Orleans, Louisiana. First, Sharon Elizabeth Sexton reports on the history and current political situation in Haiti. Then, Yvette Smothers reports on the denial of political asylum to the Haitian refugees due to their classification as economic refugees. Her report covers: the incarceration of the refugees for over a year; their release on parole; the decision of seventeen refugees to return home; and the struggles of the remaining refugees with adjusting to life in the United States. Smothers interviews: Father Paddy J. Poux, the director of the Haitian Refugee Center in New Orleans; Montasse Tela, refugee; Yves Baptiste, refugee; James Gray, the attorney for the Haitians; Peter LeDuff of the Haitian English Language Project; Mary Peoples, Natalie Alexander, and Calvin Alexander, sponsors; Hillary Clark of the Royal Sonesta Hotel; Ferdinand Dervil, refugee; and Louis Marziale of the Canal Furniture Store.