Cajuste addressed a crowd of 5,000 Haitian immigrants on the U.S. Capitol Grounds in Washington D.C., in 1998.
It is with a profound sense of reverence and remembrance that we take this moment to publicly pay tribute to a cherished member-leader within the Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees (HWHR) family. On August 18, 2023, our hearts were heavy as we bid farewell to Lexiuste Cajuste, a beloved leader and former HWHR staff Community Organizer, renowned for his dedication to Haiti’s labor rights. Our journey with Cajuste began in 1993 at a HWHR welcome dinner, where he stood tall among recently arrived refugees. Visiting the U.S. to address a conference, Cajuste’s life took a dramatic turn when his house in Haiti was set ablaze amid a violent coup d’etat that ousted then exiled President Jean Bertrand Aristide.
Faced with adversity, Cajuste’s family implored him to seek asylum in the U.S. In a moment of crisis, we connected him with the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (now Human Rights First), facilitating legal representation for his asylum application. In Haiti, Cajuste had been the General Secretary of Centrale Generale des Travailleurs (CGT), a union representing 25,000 members across various sectors.
In a display of courage, Cajuste led a general strike against the coup military leaders, resulting in his arrest, brutal beating, torture, and near-death experience. The international outcry from human rights advocates and labor unions compelled the military to release him after a month in their hospital.
Granted political asylum in 1994, Cajuste never fully recovered from the physical toll of his ordeal but remained steadfast in his pursuit of justice for Haiti. He continued his advocacy in the U.S., joining our staff at HWHR as a Community Organizer. Cajuste played a pivotal role in founding the Haitian Workers Project, empowering Haitian refugees with knowledge of their rights as workers and encouraging participation in groups like Domestic Workers United and the NY Taxi Workers Alliance.
As a refugee and leader for refugees rights, Cajuste addressed a crowd of 5,000 Haitian immigrants on the U.S. Capitol Grounds in Washington D.C., in 1998 just before the passing of the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA), which won legal permanent residency for over 50,000 Haitian nationals.
Despite ongoing health challenges, Cajuste founded the Haitian Taxi Drivers Initiative and organized the first TPS Committee at HWHR in 2010 when Temporary Protected Status was granted to Haitian nationals. His legacy is etched in our fight for the dignity and respect of Haitian immigrants, a testament to his unyielding spirit and commitment to justice. Lexiuste Cajuste will forever be a guiding force, inspiring us to press on in our mission. |
Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees 