So I agree, Catherine. What we need is a way to provide for refugees, immediately. That could mean putting them on boats and calling for a volunteer effort in which Americans take them into their homes or offer up other benefits, like you suggested. It could mean making some kind of deal with the Dominican Republic, or some combination of the above.

But like you said, that kind of assistance would have to be temporary. What better way to ensure that Haiti does get rebuilt, and that over time people’s financial contributions do wind up improving the long-term plight of the Haitian people, than to give America and Haiti’s other neighbors a stake in ensuring they have a country worth returning home to?

The crux of the matter is your statement on if these people would go back. Haiti has been one of the poorest countries in the world for a time, and currently ranks as the poorest country in the Americas. In 2006, Transparency International rated it as having the most corrupt government in the world- worse than Burma and Iraq. Would you go back? Perhaps some would, if one had the motivation and strength to want to make a difference in their homeland. I’m not convinced that would be the case for the average person though.

In any case, you pose an interesting idea to be considered. I think a well organized and documented effort to bring Haitians here to receive short term care is both a noble and feasible thought that should be considered.