TPS (temporary protected status) must be given to Haitians living in the United States who are illegal or have deportation orders so that they cannot be deported to Haiti during Haiti's recovery from the massive earthquake on January 12th.  Citizens of Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador have had TPS in the United States for years (Honduras since January 5, 1999; Nicaragua since January 5, 1999 and El Salvador since March 9, 2001).  TPS was designated for Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador due to natural disasters occurring in those countries.  Our government can no longer ignore the fact that Haitian citizens must be given TPS as a result of the horrific loss of human life in Haiti due to the earthquake which had a magnitude the equivalent of two nuclear bombs.   

On January 15, 2009 I blogged concerning the reintroduction of a bill in Congress which would have given Haitians in the United States protection from deportation due to turmoil which was occurring at that time due to hiurricanes and internal conflict.  The only action taken on the bill to my knowledge is that the bill was referred to the House Immigration Committee in February, 2009 with no further action.

The time is now for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue TPS to Haitian nationals residing in the United States.  The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) wrote a letter on January 13th to DHS Secretary Janet Reno urging her to issue TPS to Haitians.  Access to the letter is available below.

AILA Letter to Secretary Remo.pdf (238.35 kb)