This photo is for illustration purposes only. Photo credit: AFP
The United States has decided to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian citizens by 18 months, in response to the crisis of violence the country is going through, the United States Department of Homeland Security announced in a statement. communicated.
“Several areas of Haiti continue to face violence or insecurity, and many have limited access to security, health care, food and water,” said U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Initially considered a possibility, the Biden administration had suggested not renewing TPS for Haiti, a status that protects migrants from deportation and allows them to work in the United States during political crises or natural disasters in their home countries.
Finally, “after consultation with interinstitutional partners”, an 18-month extension was decided, from August 4, 2024 to February 3, 2026, “due to extraordinary and temporary conditions”.
“Haiti is particularly prone to flooding and landslides and often experiences significant damage from storms, floods, and earthquakes. These overlapping humanitarian challenges have resulted in urgent and ongoing humanitarian needs,” Mayorkas added.
This extension will allow approximately 309,000 additional Haitian nationals (or non-citizens with their last habitual residence in Haiti) to file initial TPS applications, if they are eligible and established residency in the United States before June 3, 2024.
However, according to the statement, Haitians who did not reside in the United States before that date are not eligible for this protection and “will be threatened with deportation to Haiti if they do not establish a legal basis to remain.”
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