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| President Obama: Grant TPS for Haitians Now! | January 13, 2010 |
| Contacts: Cheryl Little: 305-573-1106 x1001, clittle@fiacfla.org Susana Barciela: 305-573-1106 x1710, 305-301-9762, sbarciela@fiacfla.org President Obama: Grant TPS for Haitians Now (Miami, January 13, 2010) – In the wake of yesterday’s devastating earthquake in Haiti, it is more urgent than ever for the U.S. government to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to undocumented Haitians in this country. While the extent of the damage is still being tallied, this clearly is a major catastrophe. We appreciate that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has halted all deportations to Haiti. Now it’s time to provide immigration relief so Haitians here can help Haiti recover from yet another natural disaster. Granting TPS to Haitians here would allow some 30,000 Haitians to work legally and send remittances to loved ones in Haiti. These remittances are a vital lifeline, particularly in times of disaster. The money goes directly to Haitians on the island, encouraging them to stay and rebuild their country. TPS would, thus, discourage Haitians from attempting dangerous sea voyages to get to the United States. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to every Haitian who has suffered a loss,” said Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC). “We ask President Obama to immediately grant TPS as part of U.S. efforts to aid Haiti and Haitians who are suffering. To do less is unacceptable.” Haiti has been hit by multiple natural disasters in recent years. In 2004, floods left more than 5,000 people dead or missing. In 2008, four killer storms left 800 people dead, more than a million homeless and wiped out 15 percent of Haiti’s Gross Domestic Product. Last month, Little and other advocates discussed TPS with high-level officials from the White House Domestic Policy Council, National Security Council and Department of Homeland Security. While the meetings were encouraging, repeated calls for the U.S. government to grant TPS to Haitians have been fruitless. If not now, when? News Conference Tomorrow: What:Discuss renewed calls for Haitian TPS in the aftermath of the earthquake Who: Cheryl Little, FIAC executive director Edwidge Danticat, celebrated author and winner of a MacArthur Fellow “genius grant” Randy McGrorty, Catholic Charities Legal Services executive director Haitian family members When: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 2:00 pm Where: Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, 3000 Biscayne Blvd., Miami Fla., 33137 – First floor conference room | |