Dozens of refugee families fleeing from violence and a dire economy in Haiti have taken shelter temporarily at Boston Medical Center as city, state and local organizations scramble to provide housing and jobs for those who are eligible.
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Jeff Thielman, president and CEO of the International Institute of New England, said on Greater Boston the migrants have landed at Boston Medical Center simply because they have nowhere else to go.
He said the Haitians have not received the same level of federal funding or public attention as Ukrainian migrants or Afghan migrants.
"We need these people. We should be not only embracing them from a humanitarian perspective, but excited about them being here because we've lost population and we need people to join our commonwealth," said Thielman.
Theilman said his staff is working on authorizing employment documentation for the Haitians as fast as possible.
Executive Director of Boston's Immigrant Family Services Institute, Dr. Geralde Gabeau, said that the process is moving slower than it has for other migrants. She said that gangs are running the country of Haiti, making it impossible for people to go about even the most basic daily activity.
"We are calling on everyone to step up because we need to be ready. We cannot turn our back to all those who are fleeing," Gabeau said. She asked for help from the federal government, and for residents of Boston to open up their homes to help the migrants. Gabeau said the migrants are ready and willing to contribute to the community and the economy.
Watch: Inside the effort to find housing for influx of Haitian migrants sheltered at Boston Medical Center
