US once more extending short-term protected standing for Haitians – KIRO 7 Information Seattle

WASHINGTON – (AP) – The Biden government allows eligible Haitian nationals residing in the United States to apply for a new 18-month term for temporary protection status.

In a statement on Saturday, Homeland Security Minister Alejandro Mayorkas cited security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty and other problems in Haiti for the decision.

“After careful consideration, we decided that we must do everything we can to support Haitian nationals in the US until conditions in Haiti improve so that they can return home safely,” Mayorkas said.

According to DHS, a foreign country may be eligible for Temporary Protection Status (TPS) due to conditions that temporarily prevent the safe return of nationals of the country or the country’s inability to adequately treat the return of its nationals to be expelled. While a person with TPS cannot be removed from the United States, the DHS notes that it is a temporary benefit that does not result in lawful permanent residence or any other immigrant status.

DHS initially designated Haiti for TPS in January 2010 after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the country. The designation was renewed several times until the Trump administration announced in January 2018 that the TPS designation in Haiti would end effective July 22, 2019. Multiple disputes against the termination have allowed the designation to remain in effect.

“Today the Biden administration reaffirmed the US commitment to its humanitarian values,” Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, said in a statement. “Haitian New Yorkers can now rest easier knowing that their families can stay together and in their communities as an integral part of our economic and social fabric.”

NYIC, an umbrella organization for political and advocacy organizations for the state, estimates that 5,200 Haitian recipients of TPS live in New York. Saturday’s TPS renewal affects more than the 50,000 Haitians living in the US, while the TPS redesign for Haitians who arrived in the US after 2010 could bring up to 100,000 other benefits, according to NYIC.

Among the lawmakers who welcomed the decision was Senator Bob Menendez, DN.J. “The last thing our country should do is force an entire community in the US to choose between packing up their lives and tearing up their families through self-deportation, or being undocumented and forced into the shadows of our society,” said Menendez.

The DHS said the new TPS designation will allow Haitian nationals residing in the United States as of Friday, as well as non-nationals who have recently lived in Haiti, to submit initial applications for TPS, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. Those attempting to travel to the US after the announcement will not be eligible for TPS and may be sent home, the agency said.

The 18-month designation of Haiti will come into force on the publication date of the announcement of the federal register, which, according to the DHS, will be given shortly and will contain instructions on how to apply.

Individuals eligible for TPS under the new name must file an application for TPS with the U.S. citizenship and immigration authorities within the registration period, the DHS said. Current beneficiaries under Haiti’s TPS designation must also apply, the agency said.