ILAP Celebrates Decision to Extend and Redesignate TPS for Haiti
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 28, 2024
CONTACT: press@ilapmaine.org
ILAP enthusiastically applauds Secretary Mayorkas’ decision to extend and redesignate TPS for Haiti - a life-saving decision that will protect more than 520,000 people from deadly and devolving conditions in Haiti.
A TPS designation provides blanket protection to nationals of a country already in the U.S. when their lives or freedom would be at risk if forced to return. A TPS redesignation is a crucial part of the DHS Secretary’s authority, expanding protection to people who more recently arrived since the last cut-off date for the country.
Secretary Mayorkas’ decision will protect 214,000 current Haitian TPS holders and make TPS protection available to more than 300,000 more. In DHS’ press release, Secretary Mayorkas made clear that in extending and redesignating TPS for Haiti, the United States is “realizing the core objective of the TPS law and our obligation to fulfill it.”
Lisa Parisio, ILAP’s Policy Director said: “ILAP commends Secretary Mayorkas’ decision to extend and redesignate TPS for Haiti – a decision that will protect more than 500,000 people from deadly conditions in Haiti. We also applaud the Black-immigrant led organizations and other advocates who did the work to make this happen. TPS embodies U.S. values – it protects human life, keeps families together, builds a stronger U.S. economy, and promotes a U.S. foreign policy rooted in upholding human rights for all. TPS is a readily available tool that should be used broadly – this decision is right on the law, right on policy, and right on morality.”
ILAP also expresses immense gratitude to Haitian Bridge Alliance, Family Action Network Movement (FANM), UndocuBlack Network, Florida Immigration Coalition (FLIC), Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH), Alianza Americas, the TPS-DED AAC, and all who tirelessly advocated for this crucial and life-saving protection. Thank you to Members of Congress including U.S. Senators Markey, Booker, Butler, Duckworth, and Warren, and Representatives Pressley, Cherfilus-McCormick, Clarke, and McGovern and others for joining these efforts to protect human life and keep families together.
As ILAP celebrates this decision, we join our partners at the Haitian Bridge Alliance and others in calling for an immediate end to all deportations and repatriations to Haiti, the release of all detained Haitians, expedited processing for parole programs, and other comprehensive steps to protect Haitians and address the crisis in Haiti.
ILAP is preparing to assist Haitians in Maine with their TPS applications and anticipates more than 200 people in Maine may be newly eligible for protection and work permits.
REMEMBER: ILAP urges all immigrant communities to ensure they are working with qualified immigration attorneys or accredited representatives. Beware of those who pretend to be able to assist immigrants in order to steal money from them. More information here: https://ilapmaine.org/protect
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How Do I Request Assistance with TPS from ILAP?
If you live in Maine and want assistance with a Haiti TPS application, visit https://ilapmaine.org/ilap-news/haiti-tps-2024 to learn more and request free legal help from ILAP.