January 28, 2010

For Disaster-Struck Haitians, Arrival in U.S. Does Not Mean an End to Problems

By SHAILA DEWAN
MIAMI — Marie Violande Guerrier-Cavalier arrived in Florida from Haiti on Jan. 16, with little more than her feverish infant son, Marcley, his tiny legs in casts because of a birth defect. She left her husband and four other children behind, living in the yard outside their broken house.

Because Marcley is a United States citizen, born here, his mother was allowed to evacuate with him after the earthquake, and can stay in the United States for six months. But Ms. Guerrier-Cavalier has few possessions, no money and no way of legally earning any. She can neither support herself and Marcley, nor send money back home at a time when Haitians are desperate for help from outside. And it is unclear where she will go when the six months are up.

“I came with the intention of being able to support my family,â€