The Department of Homeland Security Designates Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
May 17, 2011
The temporary protected status, (TPS) has been approved by the Obama administration for the Haitian community that has resided in the United States continuously from January 12, 2010. That is the date that the earthquake hit Haiti and ravaged the country and its citizens. The new extension is for Haitians who came to the United States no later then January 12, 2011, and has resided in the United States continuously since that date that will be allowed to apply. This extension is not allowed to anyone who has previously been convicted of a felony or 2 misdemeanors. This extension is slated to now expire on January 22, 2013.
March 6, 2011
Deportations of Haitians to start back up. Ensuing a 60 day break, officials in immigration will start back up deporting Haitians that have convicted of an offense on United States soil. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) started the deportation process the beginning of this year, which had deported nearly 30 during January. This was halted after one person died from cholera and other became sick as well after they arrived in Haiti. Last week ICE announced that new guidelines would only deport people found guilty of violent crimes and repeat offenders that have been ordered deported by an immigration court of law. ICE announced it will not put a preference on Haitian criminals that needs a doctors care in the United States. Pro-immigrant groups point out that the original deportees had already completed their sentence and were living criminal free for years. Deportations had been temporarily halted to Haiti after that country's earthquake in January of 2010.
July 12, 2010
The United States government increased the amount of time that undocumented Haitians have to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This status allows Haitians to remain in the United States and apply for employment. The deadline is now January 18, 2011, to register for the relief status, for Haitians who qualify. This program was started because of the earthquake that devastated much of Haiti earlier this year. Originally, the 180-day registration period for Haitians was from January 21 through July 20, 2010. Monday Haitians observed the six-month anniversary of the January 12 tragedy. The disaster killed over 222,000 people which is around two percent of the Haitian population. United States Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano enacted Haiti to TPS for 18 months. It applies to Haitians who have been in the United States since January 12. Alejandro Mayorkas, the director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), commented that extending the registration timeframe will allow more people that qualify, time to stay safe in America while Haiti gets past this crisis.
January 25, 2010
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is warning Hatians to be cautious of immigration fraud. Some people will try and take advantage of Haitians attempting to request for temporary protected status (TPS) by demanding ridiculous fees. While others give bad recommendations that could dash any hope of someone's chances to apply for the program and further may put them at risk for serious immigration consequences. For further information about Haiti TPS go to: www.uscis.gov and click on "Haiti Earthquake Response" on the home page, or call 1-800-375-5283 anytime.
January 18, 2010
The United States federal government stated it would allow humanitarian paroles to Haitian orphans that are expecting to be adopted to United States citizens before the earthquake happened. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano wants to maintain the direction on keeping families together in Haiti. The humanitarian parole policy will be handled on each individual circumstances to the following kids:
• Kids who have already been determined as orphans and are suitable for intercountry adoption by the government of Haiti and are being adopted by American citizens.
• Kids who have been formerly been recognized by an adoption agency or facilitator as worthy for inter-country adoption and have been coordinated to American citizen potential adoptive caregiver.
Ms. Napolitano is leaving options open for other impoverished orphans to be examined for the humanitarian parole. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said United States citizens with an awaiting adoption cases in Haiti should contact the DHS with accurate information regarding their cases to the following email address. HaitianAdoptions@dhs.gov
January 15, 2010
The Department of Homeland Security designated Haiti as a nation whose nationals qualify for temporary protected status. Temporary Protected Status is a temporary benefit or status that can be granted to people from countries that have been designated as qualifying nations. To qualify for TPS the country must have suffered a natural disaster, a political emergency or other condition that leaves the country in such a devasted state that the return of people to their country safely is not possible.
Someone who is granted TPS is granted legal status in the United States for usually 18 months and they can also apply for work authorizaiton. Before the 18 month period expires, the Department of Homeland Security announces whether the designation of a country as elgible for TPS will be extended. Once the designation is no longer extended, beneficiaries of TPS return to whatever status they had before the grant of TPS.
This is the very basic information regarding TPS for Haiti. For detailed information you need to contact an immigration attorney to see how this TPS applies to your unique situation.
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