Undocumented Haitians Need Temporary Protected Status NOW

Deportations of undocumented Haitians is being halted in the aftermath of that country’s earthquake, but there is more than can and should be done. Andrea Nill quotes Congressman Alcee Hastings (pictured), who says it would be “not only immoral, but irresponsible” not to give temporary protected status (TPS) to undocumented Haitian immigrants in the United States.

“Just when we thought Haiti was in the clear after a mild hurricane season, another natural disaster has rocked our hemisphere’s poorest country. The people of Haiti simply can’t seem to catch a break,” he said. “While I cannot understate the urgency with which the United States and the international community must provide humanitarian aid, this most recent disaster emphasizes the vital need for Temporary Protected Status for Haitian nationals currently residing in the U.S.”

Hastings said by allowing Haitians to stay in the U.S., they’d be able to legally work “and contribute to their country’s recovery. It is not only immoral, but irresponsible to continue to deny Haitians TPS.”

TPS is available to those from countries suffering from armed conflicts, natural disasters, and other tragedies.

Three Cuban-American members of Congress are also urging President Obama to act.

To spur the administration to approve TPS, South Florida’s three Cuban-American Republican members of Congress — Reps. Lincoln and his brother Mario Diaz-Balart, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — sent a joint letter to Obama requesting TPS for Haitian nationals along with immediate humanitarian aid for Haiti.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.