Biden Administration Extends and Redesignates Haiti for Temporary Protected Status

Contact: Tim Young | tyoung@lirs.org

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti for an additional 18 months. He also redesignated Haiti for TPS, allowing Haitian nationals already residing in the United States as of November 6, 2022, to apply for protections. The decision is expected to allow an additional 110,000 eligible Haitians to live and work in the US without fear of deportation.

The Department of Homeland Security cited extraordinary and temporary conditions in Haiti that prevent nationals from returning safely, specifically, a prolonged political crisis, serious security concerns, a lack of access to food, water, fuel, and health care during a resurgence of cholera, as well as recent catastrophic earthquakes.

The following is a statement by Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service:

“From both a legal and moral standpoint, this extension and redesignation of temporary protection was the right decision. Under no circumstances should Haitians already in the U.S. be returned to their home country at this time. The current conditions on the ground in Haiti are dire. Civil unrest and political instability have devolved into violence; widespread shortages of food and water have compounded a new cholera outbreak; and the country’s government has largely ceased to function.

We applaud the Biden administration in this decision and urge officials to develop policies and practices that recognize the common humanity of Haitians, who have long been disproportionately impacted by overzealous detentions and deportations. The decision will save lives and honor our moral obligations as the world’s humanitarian leader.

This moment also requires acknowledgement and celebration of the tireless advocacy by Haitian advocates and their allies. As lawmakers debate immigration reforms in the coming days, Congress should also provide more lasting protection to TPS holders, many of whom have lived and worked in the U.S. for years amid significant uncertainty.”