Urges Congress to provide aid to Haitian migrants.

AR120

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 120

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� SHANIQUE SPEIGHT

District 29 (Essex and Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Urges Congress to provide aid to Haitian migrants.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Assembly
Resolution
urging Congress to provide aid
to Haitian migrants.

Whereas,

In the wake of ongoing political instability and natural disasters numerous
Haitian citizens have attempted to emigrate to the Americas; and

Whereas,

The Biden administration has stated that Haiti is �grappling with a
deteriorating political crisis, violence, and a staggering increase in human
rights abuses;� and

Whereas,

On August 14, 2021, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the island of Haiti,
killing over 2,000 people and injuring more than 12,200, and triggering a
humanitarian crisis; and

Whereas,

According to the United Nations, approximately 650,000 people require
humanitarian assistance due to the earthquake; and

Whereas,

On July 7, 2021, a group of mercenaries assassinated the President of Haiti,
Jovenel Mo
�se
, resulting in
an increase in gang violence on the island; and

Whereas,

Heightened political instability and organized criminal gang activity has
resulted in civilian casualties and displaced thousands of people in and around
Haiti�s capital of Port-au-Prince; and

Whereas,

Haiti�s COVID-19 outbreak continues to strain the limited health care system
capacity countrywide, as well as disrupt the livelihood of civilians; and

Whereas,

Poor agricultural production and economic conditions, political instability,
and recurrent natural shocks continue to generate significant food insecurity,
resulting in approximately 40 percent of Haiti�s population facing severe acute
food insecurity in 2022; and

Whereas,

The United Nations estimates that approximately 4.9 million people throughout
Haiti require humanitarian assistance; and

Whereas,

Haitians are among the numerous migrants from the Caribbean, Central America,
and Latin American countries who undergo treacherous journeys to the United
States in search of safety and opportunity; and

Whereas,

In 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard has been intercepting about four Haitian migrant
vessels per month at sea, with an average of about 150 occupants on board; and

Whereas,

Front line organizations are working to aid Haitian migrants who were
dislocated, detained, and expelled as they sought asylum and safety at the
United States border; and

Whereas,

Congress should provide aid to Haitian migrants and organizations that will
help with the needs of the migrants such as funding shelter, legal services,
food aid, and medical assistance; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the General Assembly of the State
of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� This House respectfully
urges Congress to provide further aid to Haiti and its citizens who are
migrating to the Americas due to the countrywide political and humanitarian
crises.

���� 2.��� Copies of this
resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the
Clerk of the General Assembly to the Acting President of Haiti, Ariel Henry;
the Haitian Ambassador to the United States; the Haitian Ambassador to the
United Nations; the United States Ambassador to Haiti; each member of the New
Jersey Congressional delegation; and the Governor of the State of New Jersey.

STATEMENT

���� This resolution urges Congress
to provide aid to the migrants of Haiti.�

���� Haiti has been through
political and economic turmoil and has suffered from natural disasters for
years.� However, following the assassination of the Haitian President, the
country fell into an even greater crisis, the rise in gang activity. This
organized criminal gang activity has resulted in civilian casualties and
displaced thousands of people in and around Haiti�s capital of Port-au-Prince.�
As a result of political instability and ongoing natural disasters, the Biden
administration has stated that Haiti is �grappling with a deteriorating
political crisis, violence, and a staggering increase in human rights abuses.��

���� Given the political turmoil
and the financial distress, Haitians have started to migrate more to the United
States via boats or land corridors from the Americas.� Haitians are among the
numerous migrants from Caribbean, Central, and Latin countries who undergo
treacherous journeys northward in search of safety and opportunity in the
United States.

���� This resolution urges Congress
to provide support to frontline organizations that work to aid Haitian migrants
who were dislocated, detained, and expelled as they sought asylum and safety at
the U.S. border.� Aid to the migrants should include funding to provide
shelter, food aid, and medical assistance and further, to organizations that
provide legal services.