This week we are asking you to take action in support of extending temporary protective status (TPS) to Haitian refugees. TPS would allow Haitians currently in the U.S. to stay temporarily, as a response to the natural disasters and political strife that have recently plagued the country. TPS would allow hard-working people to remain temporarily and legally in the U.S. and continue to support themselves, send money back home to their relatives and contribute to the U.S. economy.
Just last week the Department of Homeland Security extended TPS to refugees from Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. TPS means that immigrants in the United States from these countries will not face deportation.
The statement from DHS Secretary Chertoff says, “Although Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador have made significant progress in their recovery and rebuilding efforts, each country continues to face social and economic challenges in their efforts to restore their nations to normalcy,” said USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez. “This 18 month extension reflects the United States’ commitment to continue assisting our Central American neighbors on their road to recovery.”
The scenarios outlined are of course equally true of Haiti: the collapse of the economy, years of civil conflict, and recent natural disasters. What is different is the willingness of this administration to “continue assisting” its Haitian neighbor.
Alcee Hasting (D-FL) responded to the announcement this way:
Granting TPS to Haitian nationals is, now more than ever, a matter of fairness and consistency in our immigration policies. Again, I respectfully request that you grant Haitians the same consideration and protection that you have supported for other deserving nations and people. The continuation of unfair and discriminatory immigration policies toward Haitians has not allowed Haiti to obtain the sense of normalcy that its Central American counterparts are being given the opportunity to achieve. [You can read Hasting’s full letter, and the announcement from Chertoff below.]
To show Congress you care, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard, 202-224-2131 and ask for your member of the U.S. House of Representatives by name (or if you do not know his/her name, give your zipcode). Your message does not need to be complex or eloquent. Merely telling your Representative’s receptionist “I am urging Rep. ____ to co-sponsor H.R.522IH, the Haitian Protection Act of 2007” will help make a difference. If you want to do more, ask for the staffer who deals with immigration issues, and discuss your concerns with him or her. Ask your Representative to contact Audrey Nicoleau in Rep. Hastings’ office, 202-225-1313 to sign up or with any questions.
Current co-sponsors: Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28]; Rep Brown, Corrine [FL-3] - Rep Carson, Julia [IN-7]; Rep Castor, Kathy [FL-11]; Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11]; Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14]; Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7]; Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10]; Rep Diaz-Balart, Mario [FL-25]; Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2]; Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. [TX-20]; Rep Green, Al [TX-9]; Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7]; Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4]; Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18]; Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice [TX-30]; Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1]; Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9]; Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3]; Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5]; Rep Meek, Kendrick B. [FL-17]; Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8]; Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10]; Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15]; Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18]; Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1]; Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9]; Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16]; Rep Thompson, Bennie G. [MS-2]; Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10]; Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20]; Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35]; Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33]; Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19]
Letter from Congressman Hastings to President Bush
May 3, 2007
The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I write to bring your attention to a recent statement from Emilio Gonzalez, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. In an article in today's South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Mr. Gonzalez is quoted as saying: "Although Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador have made significant progress in their recovery and rebuilding efforts, each country continues to face social and economic challenges in their efforts to restore their nations to normalcy."
Mr. President, Nicaraguans and Hondurans have continued to receive Temporary Protected Status designation renewal for almost ten years now. As you know, the original designation for Nicaragua and Honduras was granted in response to the devastations from Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and for El Salvador, which is approaching their seventh year of protection, after two deadly earthquakes in 2001. In the case of all three countries, the U.S. federal government has acknowledged and rightfully supported their struggle to return to a sense of normalcy by granting TPS. However, at the same time, and under similar dire situations, Haitian migrants have not received similar treatment. I ask, why?
According to the U.S. Coast Guard count for the month of April 2007, a total of 704 Haitians were rescued from vessels and repatriated to Haiti. This number is a dramatic increase compared to 43 Haitians rescued in April 2006 and a total of 769 in all of 2006. Judging by these numbers, it is quite evident that the situation in Haiti is reaching new heights of desperation. Even more, Haiti's current police force dwarfs in comparison to its population of 8 million, which includes an increasing number of gangs and kidnappers who continue to severely debilitate effective and lasting governance on a daily basis.
Due to Haiti's unstable condition, foreign investment is discouraged, creating vast unemployment throughout the country. This has forced countless Haitians to risk their lives in the treacherous seas in a quest to provide not only for themselves, but for their family and community members back home. Repatriation of the very people who can help Haiti through remittances only makes this sizeable problem even larger and out of control.
Granting TPS to Haitian nationals is, now more than ever, a matter of fairness and consistency in our immigration policies. Again, I respectfully request that you grant Haitians the same consideration and protection that you have supported for other deserving nations and people. The continuation of unfair and discriminatory immigration policies toward Haitians has not allowed Haiti to obtain the sense of normalcy that its Central American counterparts are being given the opportunity to achieve.
Thank you for your consideration of this urgent request. I look forward to your expeditious response regarding this matter.
With warm regards, I remain,
Sincerely,
Alcee L. Hastings
Member of Congress
Secretary Chertoff Extends Temporary Protected Status for eligible Hondurans, Nicaraguans and Salvadorans
Re-Registration Details Forthcoming
WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced today his decision to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for eligible nationals of Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador by an additional 18 months. It will allow current TPS beneficiaries from these three countries to extend their status and continue living and working in the United States for an additional 18 months, and will affect approximately 78,000 Hondurans, 4,000 Nicaraguans, and 230,000 Salvadorans.
The extension is part of the Administration’s ongoing assistance to Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador in recovering from natural disasters that have affected Central America. Current TPS designations for Hondurans and Nicaraguans expire on July 5, 2007. The current TPS designation for El Salvadorans expires on September 9, 2007. In accordance with a schedule to be announced in forthcoming Federal Register notices, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin processing TPS re-registration applications for eligible Hondurans and Nicaraguans first. USCIS will make an announcement later this summer on the TPS re-registration process for Salvadorans. All TPS beneficiaries have registered with the department and have been provided with biometric and secure identification cards.
“Although Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador have made significant progress in their recovery and rebuilding efforts, each country continues to face social and economic challenges in their efforts to restore their nations to normalcy,” said USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez. “This 18 month extension reflects the United States’ commitment to continue assisting our Central American neighbors on their road to recovery.”
Filing periods for these three designations have not yet begun. Applications received prior to or after the announced registration period for each designation will be rejected. Details on where, when and how to file under each designation will soon be published in the Federal Register and additional information will be provided online at: www.uscis.gov. Customers may also call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.
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