TPS: Haiti’s illegal immigrants given temporary protection in US
Breaking news: Haitian nationals who were already in the U.S. when Tuesday’s earthquake struck can now obtain a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. That status, will allow you to legally work in the U.S.
the TPS will not cover Haitians who flee their country following the devastating 7.0 quake that resulted in as many as 50,000 deaths and left its capital, Port-au-Prince, in ruins
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said it’s “tempting for people suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake to seek refuge elsewhere” but that “attempting to leave Haiti now will only bring more hardship to the Haitian people and nation.”
She also said returning illegal immigrants from Haiti would put their “personal safety” at risk.
TPS is typically extended to immigrants from countries – such as El Salvador, Honduras, Somalia, and Nicaragua – where sudden conflict or disaster has prevented them from returning safely.
On Wednesday, US immigration officials temporarily halted the removal of some 30,000 illegal Haitians awaiting deportation. France, Canada, and the Dominican Republic are taking similar steps to ease their immigrations rules in light of the disaster.
“Extending this mantle of protection to struggling Haiti is not only appropriate, but a just, compassionate, and concrete step the United States can take toward alleviating the human suffering of the Haitian people,” wrote Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, in a letter to the White House.
The law office of Kate Raynor sends condolences to the people of Haiti following the major earthquake in that country on Tuesday.
For a free consultation please call us toll free at 877-872-9666 or 818-501-3641