Right now, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering whether or not to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in the United States, which is due for a decision by DHS before Thanksgiving, November 23rd. Given the recent TPS terminations for Sudan and Nicaragua, we are deeply concerned that DHS will end TPS for Haitians altogether. In 2010, an earthquake devastated Haiti, and today, about 58,000 Haitians, who have been in the United States since January 12, 2011, have been able to go to school and raise their families in safety, while their remittances support loved ones in Haiti. The catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Matthew and other disasters have impeded Haiti’s recovery. Tens of thousands of homes and schools have been destroyed, as well as agricultural crops and livestock, which has resulted in widespread housing and food insecurity, exacerbated the cholera epidemic, and led to public health crises. All of these realities have also increased economic instability in Haiti.
The conditions justifying the TPS designation for Haiti persist. To let TPS for Haiti expire or end it altogether would mean turning our backs on the vulnerable Haitians whom we pledged to protect, and would place considerable burdens on the country as it struggles to recover from multiple disasters. TPS was created to provide protection to those in the United States when it is unsafe for their return home – precisely the conditions Haiti faces. TPS must be extended for at least another 18 months. To do otherwise would be an affront to our American values of hospitality, generosity, and compassion.
Call Congress TODAY at 202-224-3121:
Tell Them to Demand an 18-Month TPS Extension for Haiti
*Please call 3 times to connect with your 2 Senators and 1 Representative
Sample Script: “I’m from [City, State, Congregation/Community] and as a person of faith, I ask [the Senator/Representative] to urge DHS Acting Secretary Duke to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians for at least another 18 months. Current conditions in Haiti – such as housing and food insecurity and hunger, the cholera epidemic and public health crises, and economic instability – exacerbated by Hurricane Matthew and subsequent disasters – make it unsafe for anyone to be deported to Haiti. Haitians should be allowed to remain in the United States while Haiti continues to recover.”
Tweet the same message: “.@SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE Tell .@DHSgov @realDonaldTrump they must protect Haitians by extending #TPS for 18mo. Don’t return families to danger. #Faith4TPS”
DHS should be responding to this humanitarian crisis by upholding our promises to the Haitian people and by allowing Haitians to remain in the United States. Join us in calling on Members of Congress and the administration to live up to our American values by protecting Haitians and treating them the way we would want to be treated if we were in their place. For more resources on Haiti, please click here and here.
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