CBP Supports Haiti

‘When they hear that language…it gives them warmth to hear someone speaking their language that is here to help them,” Baptiste said.

Baptiste himself has not been in the U.S. that long. He grew up in Haiti, arriving in the U.S. in 2001 to finish his senior year in high school. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Western Florida, became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2007 and joined U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a Border Patrol agent in Yuma, Ariz. In 2008 he became a CBP Officer assigned in Orlando. He loves the variety of work that his CBP career provides.

“It’s a unique position that you get to do so much with one agency,” Baptiste said, indicating that in addition to serving as a CBP officer, he also serves as a firearms instructor and provides translation in Creole when needed.

“As a Haitian American, I feel that God has put me in a place where I can help [when it’s needed most], with my language skills,” Baptiste said.

The officer expressed his amazement and gratitude for the outpouring of support that the world has shown so far to provide relief to the Haitian people.

“So many countries have come together to help Haiti. It’s unheard of to see that type of support so quickly. The American people raised $5 million for the American Red Cross in four to five days. This is unbelievable,” Baptiste said. “It makes it seem like there is a light at the end of tunnel for the Haitian people.”

The earthquake itself hit pretty close to home for the officer. His wife, who came to the U.S. in 2008, once lived not more than 10 blocks from the now ruined presidential palace in Port-Au-Prince. “That could have been my wife that was killed,” he said.

Baptiste indicated that his wife lost two cousins in the earthquake. One of them is buried under an embankment and there is no way to retrieve the body to give a proper burial.

What gives comfort to Baptiste the most during this trying time is his CBP family.

“You don’t know how much of a family it is until something tragic like this happens,” Baptiste said.

Area Port Director Eduardo Oliveros and Baptiste’s other managers have provided constant support and allowed him to come to Sanford to help process the arriving military relief flights. When the earthquake struck, he was literally chomping at the bit to go.

“At least (I feel like) I’m doing something to help,” Baptiste said.

He is waiting for the call to serve in-country with the relief mission in Haiti for CBP. His co-workers have stepped in with extra uniforms to bring on the mission.

“I got BDU’s from everybody,” Baptiste said.

A mountain of modesty, Baptiste said he doesn’t want the story to be about him but stressed the Haitian people’s story needs to be told.

“The Haitian people, the way they came together, pulling people out from the rubble, they are showing their strength,” Baptiste said. “They should be applauded for this.”

“It makes me feel proud to be living in these times…. People are finding the time to send money and help to Haiti,” Baptiste said. “It’s a good thing to see.”

Baptiste feels proud to serve CBP and is thankful that he got the opportunity to finish his education in the U.S. and also, at 26, identified with the youth of Haiti and noted, wistfully, that others who did not have the same opportunity had likely perished.

“The people that are there in Haiti are young. It easily could have been me.”

date24 Jan
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