Caribbean Americans are dreamers and doers says President Biden

United States President Joe Biden described Caribbean Americans as “dreamers and doers” who always find ways to push America forward, in a proclamation for Caribbean American Heritage Month.

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“From the Caribbean Americans who helped build our country from the ground up to those who have only just arrived, they have all believed in the possibilities our country has to offer and strengthened the diverse fabric of our Nation,” he said.

Caribbean American Heritage Month, celebrated every June, is a time to recognize and honor the contributions and influence of Caribbean Americans to the history and culture of the United States.

It was officially designated by the U.S. Congress in 2006, following a decade-long effort led by the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) and other advocacy groups.

In addition to recognizing the millions of Caribbean Americans in various fields in the United States, President Biden also highlighted those serving across his administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris (Jamaican American), Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas (Cuban American), and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (Haitian American).

Biden working to fix immigration

In his proclamation, President Biden also acknowledged the flaws in the United States immigration system and said that he is working to fix it so that it is safe, orderly, and humane — “especially for those in the Caribbean community who are fleeing oppressive rule and trying to escape gang violence to ensure a better life for them and their families.”

He also promised to expand lawful pathways to the United States for Caribbean individuals and establish a faster process for deciding claims of asylum for people who are credibly seeking protection from persecution.

Partnerships with Caribbean nations

President Biden also pointed to several initiatives and partnerships with nations across the Caribbean, saying that the United States is working to advance opportunity and security across the region.

Among those partnerships is $275 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands that will deliver clean and safe water, access to high-speed internet, public transit, and modern roads and bridges.

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In Puerto Rico, Bide said the government made more than $140 billion in Federal obligations, which have driven the island’s economic turnaround. “Since I came into office, Puerto Rico has added more than 100,000 new jobs and unemployment reached a historic low of under six percent,” he said.

In partnership with CARICOM, America launched the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit to combat firearms trafficking. “Last summer, my Administration appointed a Coordinator for Caribbean Firearms Prosecutions to lead our efforts to stem firearms trafficking in the Caribbean,”  Biden said.

Turning to Haiti, which has seen a period of political instability since the start of this year, Biden said he has been working with CARICOM to restore stability and security in the country.

“We must complement our security investments with economic support. This is why my Administration supports the reauthorization of the HOPE/HELP trade preferences program in order to spur greater economic prosperity in Haiti,” Biden said.