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A Haitian migrant brought to the United States by a parole program implemented by the administration of President Joe Biden has been arrested and charged with the rape of a 15-year-old disabled girl.
Cory Alvarez, 26, a migrant from Haiti, was arrested by Rockland, Mass. authorities and pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a charge of aggravated rape of a child, Fox News reported.
“The DA’s office said Rockland police responded to the Comfort Inn on Wednesday night, for reports of a sexual assault. The hotel participates in a state and federal program to house migrant families, and Alvarez lived at the hotel. When officers arrived, they spoke with the 15-year-old female victim, who was taken to an area hospital to be treated,” Fox News reported.
“Multiple Department of Homeland Security sources tell Fox News that Alvarez is a Haitian national who came to the U.S. in June via the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan (CHNV) parole processes,” the report said.
The outlet added:
The policy was first announced for Venezuelans in October 2022, which allowed a limited number to fly directly into the U.S. as long as they had not entered illegally, had a sponsor in the U.S. already and passed certain checks.
In January 2023, the administration announced that the program was expanding to include Haitians, Nicaraguans and Cubans and that the program would allow up to 30,000 people per month into the U.S. It allows for migrants to receive work permits and a two-year authorization to live in the U.S. and was announced alongside an expansion of Title 42 expulsions to include those nationalities.
GOP State Representative David DeCoste and MassGOP issued a press release in which they expressed their fury with the state.
“I am absolutely appalled by the incident that took place in Rockland. Above all, my heartfelt sympathies extend to the young girl who has reportedly been subjected to abuse. The Commonwealth has failed this young girl. I have 100% confidence in chief Zeoli and his team in the Rockland police department to conduct a thorough investigation into this horrible crime,” DeCoste said.
“This is an absolute nightmare scenario for this young girl and her family. I earnestly pray for her strength and resilience in the face of this appalling ordeal. I acknowledge the presence of well-intentioned and compassionate residents of Massachusetts who would like for the state to provide refuge for migrants during times of exigency. However, it is imperative to discern between appropriate and inappropriate methods of addressing this endeavor. The recent incident exemplifies our state’s struggle to effectively manage the migrant crisis, and the influx of additional migrants may exacerbate the likelihood of such distressing occurrences. There is a pressing need to revisit and amend the legislation pertaining to the right to shelter,” Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Amy Carnevale added.
This month, impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued a press release defending the parole program after U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton decided to allow it to continue.
“We are pleased that today’s court ruling means that the parole processes for individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela will continue. These processes — a safe and orderly way to reach the United States — have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of these individuals encountered at our southern border. It is a key element of our efforts to address the unprecedented level of migration throughout our hemisphere, and other countries around the world see it as a model to tackle the challenge of increased irregular migration that they too are experiencing,” the impeached secretary said.
“We will continue to deliver strengthened consequences for those who attempt to circumvent lawful pathways on land or at sea. Do not believe the lies of smugglers. Those who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States will be subject to prompt removal, a minimum five-year bar on admission, and potential criminal prosecution for unlawful reentry. Migrants should continue to use safe and orderly lawful pathways and processes that have been expanded under the Biden-Harris Administration,” he noted.
