While there are many unanswered questions about how and why an unknown number of Haitian migrants are being settled in Sylacauga in southern Talladega County, State Rep. Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga) blames non-governmental organizations (NGOs) acting as intermediaries in the process.
During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," Robbins said these allegedly non-profit groups were indeed profiting from the federal government for facilitating resettlement in Talladega County, which he argued did not have the resources to handle an influx of Haitian migrants.
"I think that what you've seen is massive fraud and issue from these NGOs," he said. "What is happening is there is just greed. These NGOs are getting money through grants and other ways ... to 'help' Haitians. And all they are doing is giving them a sheet of paper that says, 'Hey, go apply at these four places.' They're ending up basically in the arms of people that have no concern for them and are, in essence, trafficking them from point A to point B, and squeezing money out of the immigrant at every turn, every corner. I cannot understate how toxic it is, how terrible it is to our community and to the immigrant."
"And these NGOs and our federal government [are] just watching it happen and are OK with it," Robbins added. "Our federal government has pumped a lot of money into a system that is overriding our local community and is just really being an unfair, unjust system to everybody. Some of these immigrants should not be here. Most of them should not be here. And they're led here, really by our federal government and false promises."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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