For the second year since taking office,the 45th US President has followed the path of both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama in declaring June National Caribbean-American Heritage.
In his 2018 proclamation, Donald Trump, whose anti-immigrant policies has impacted many Caribbean immigrants, especially Haitians, noted that “Caribbean Americans embody the American spirit, with their talents and hard work contributing greatly to America’s economy.”
He also said their leadership and resolve have made incredible contributions to our society and highlighted the contributions of Dr. William Thornton, a native of the British Virgin Islands who designed the United States Capitol and is generally considered the first “Architect of the Capitol; and Jean Baptiste du Sable, the first permanent resident of Chicago who was born in Haiti and is widely recognized as the “Founder of Chicago.”
Trump also expressed gratitude to the many Caribbean-Americans who have served or are currently serving our country as members of our Armed Forces.
While there is no specific Census category, it is estimated that Caribbean immigrants across the US are over 4 million while the number of those of Caribbean heritage is much more expansive. The 2020 Census will allow Caribbean nationals to write in their country of origin for the first time under the racial category, black.
