Article corrected to remove incorrect detils
Haitian Community Emerges as Political Force in Wicomico County
SALISBURY, Md. — For decades, Haitians on Maryland’s Lower Shore were seen primarily as the backbone of the poultry industry. Recruited by Perdue Farms and other processors to fill tough, low‑wage jobs, they built families, churches, and even a Creole‑language radio station. Now, their presence is spilling into politics — and the implications for Wicomico County are significant.
📌 The Community
- Haitians are not counted separately in census data, but they are part of Wicomico’s 27% Black population.
- Their institutions — churches, radio, civic groups — show permanence and cohesion.
- Like Latinos, they are tied to immigrant labor pipelines, but their trajectory is toward settled residency and civic participation.
- The recent Voting Rights Act ruling against Wicomico’s at‑large election system could amplify Haitian voices, aligning them with African American and Latino coalitions.
📌 Frame
- Haitians are no longer just “cheap labor” — they are political actors.
- Strategic question: Will Wicomico’s Democratic establishment embrace Haitian voters, or continue to treat them as outsiders?