The Biden government protects thousands of Haitians from deportation with a new TPS measure
Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Friday, November 15
The Biden government grants TPS to Haitians residing in the United States
The government of Joe Biden granted on Saturday humanitarian protection to Haitians in the United States , which allows some 80, 000 people may request to remain legally in the United States, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The decision will allow Haitians in the United States to apply for the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) , a form of humanitarian aid that can be granted when it is considered unsafe to return to the country of origin.
The Secretary of National Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, announced a new designation of 18 months to the humanitarian program .
Eligible Haitian citizens currently residing in the United States before or until 21 May 2021 may submit initial applications for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) , provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
The designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will apply to Haitians, or persons without nationality who last resided in Haiti .
It’s important to put attention on TPS will apply only to those people who already reside in the United States before or until 21 May 2021 and meet all other requirements.
Those who attempt to travel to the United States after this announcement will not be eligible for TPS and may be repatriated.
“Haiti is currently experiencing serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty and a lack of basic resources, which aggravated by the COVID pandemic – 19 ”, said Mayorkas in a statement .
The president Joe Biden tweeted a link to the statement on Saturday and said: “Today my administration announced a new eva designation of 18 months of Temporary Protected Status ( TPS) for Haiti. ”
Today my Administration announced a new 18 month designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
Read more: https://t.co/yUaPD03 iaL
– President Biden (@POTUS) May 22, 2021
BuzzFeed was the first to report on the decision.
The decision was greeted with praise by immigrant advocates and applauded by the President of Relations Senate Foreign Affairs, Bob Menéndez , reported CNN . “As Haiti is going through an acute political and security crisis and facing lasting humanitarian challenges, this decision provides urgently needed protections for eligible Haitians in the United States,” the New Jersey Democrat said in a statement.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, rated the measure as a “good news” in a statement Saturday night and pressed by an immigration reform.
“It is imperative that the Dreams and Promises Act, passed by the House, be enacted so that we can provide a path to permanent residence and eventual citizenship for TPS holders,” said Pelosi.
In January 2017, the Trump administration announced that it would terminate Haiti’s TPS designation, but several lawsuits challenged that termination.
The TPS for Haiti remains in effect due to pending court challenges, DHS said.
Current TPS Haiti recipients retain their TPS and TPS-related documents until October 4, 2021, and DHS will continue to extend the benefit and documents if necessary to comply with court orders.
These beneficiaries are also eligible to apply under Haiti’s new designation to receive TPS for the entire term of 18 months.
We recommend you
