Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians is being requested

Earlier this week, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook Haiti to it core. The epicenter of the earthquake was located just 10 miles away from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The devastation and destruction of the tiny island has been shown around the world in horrifying details. The Red Cross estimates that over 50,000 people have died as result of this catastrophe. Over the past few days, nations around the world have mobilized in an effort to provide aid to the grief-stricken nation. The Department of Homeland Security has halted all deportations to Haiti until further notice. In an effort to help Haitian nationals here, Senators, Congressmen, immigration advocates and visa lawyers are pushing President Obama to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The designation would allow thousands of Haitians, many of them undocumented, currently residing in the United States to live and work in the United States until conditions in Haiti improve and the status is revoked. Opponents argue that TPS for Haitians will exacerbate and overwhelm the already burden immigration system. TPS designation has been reserved for countries that have been devastated with civil and political unrest, natural disasters or extraordinary situations where the country in unable to handle the return of its citizens. Hopefully, the Obama administration will issue a statement granting temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian Americans in the next few days or weeks.