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Immigrants Flock to Florida Seeking Work Permits

Dozens of Haitian and other Caribbean immigrants are traveling to Florida on the mistaken belief that they can obtain work permits from a small community organization near Fort Lauderdale, state officials warned today.

The New York State Consumer Protection Board and Governor George E. Pataki's Office of Citizenship Services today announced that they are investigating the Haitian American Community Help Organization (HACHO) after immigrants in New York complained that they traveled to Florida and paid a $450 application fee to obtain a Social Security card and a work permit.

The state agencies are working with state and federal law enforcement agencies to determine if any laws have been or are being violated.

“Dozens -- and perhaps hundreds -- of immigrants from New York and other northeastern states have traveled to HACHO's office in Lauderdale Lakes, Fl. on the false belief that there is an 'amnesty' or some other special assistance available to immigrants in Florida," said Teresa A. Santiago, Chairperson and Executive Director of the state Consumer Protection Board ("CPB").

Hundreds of people are arriving daily at HACHO's office -- many of them from outside of Florida -- that wait for hours to fill out an application for a work permit or "Employment Authorization Document." Such documents are only issued by the federal government and state investigators are trying to determine the legitimacy of HACHO's application process. Many immigrants have complained that they paid fees and travel expenses to Florida but have received nothing from HACHO or the federal government.

“Immigrants who have traveled to Florida say they were lead to believe that a special amnesty program is being offered in that state," said Luz Tavarez-Salazar, Director of Governor Pataki's Citizenship Unit. "There is no special program or amnesty available in any one state. Director Tavarez-Salazar said immigrants in all states have the same rights under U.S. immigration law.

“Haitian immigrants have been traveling by car, bus or plane because they believe this organization has some special ability or special authorization regarding work permits. This is not true,” said Chairperson Santiago.

While there are many providers and community centers that can help immigrants fill out the proper paperwork, they do not charge hundreds of dollars for this small service, the Chairperson said.

State investigators have been unable to contact officials at HACHO. HACHO, which was incorporated in 2001, is led by Gomez Accime of Fort Lauderdale.

Governor Pataki's Citizenship Unit works with community groups to help immigrants understand immigration laws and assist eligible immigrants to apply for citizenship. The Unit also works with various state agencies to help immigrants understand labor laws, issues involving fraud, and other matters that confront immigrants as new arrivals to New York.

Anyone who has information regarding HACHO can contact the Citizenship Unit at 212-961-8261.

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