U.S. Extends Temporary Status for Haitians as Conditions in Haiti Become More Dangerous

By BERT HOOVER First Posted: Dec 06, 2022 03:43 AM EST

The Biden administration announced Monday that it would expand temporary legal status for Haitians currently residing in the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cited the conditions in Haiti that are too dangerous for their forced return, the U.S. News reported.

According to the department, Haitians present in the U.S. on November 6 are eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). It added that those granted the same status last year can extend their stay for 18 more months until August 3, 2024.

Reversing former President Donald Trump-era trend of reducing safeguards for those already in the U.S., the Biden administration has extended temporary status for some countries and introduced or expanded it for Haiti, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Cameroon.

Those coming from countries hit hard by natural disasters, or civil unrest may be eligible for TPS, which usually comes with authorization to work.

After the assassination of Haiti President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, the Caribbean nation has seen increasingly brazen attacks by gangs. Many children are also dying as a cholera epidemic sweeps the country, and food insecurity rises.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said: "The conditions in Haiti, including socioeconomic challenges, political instability, and gang violence and crime - aggravated by environmental disaster - compelled the humanitarian relief we are providing today."

It Is Not Clear How Many Haitians Will Benefit From Temporary Legal Status Expansion

The Department of Homeland Security did not estimate how many Haitians would benefit from the expanded program. Following the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010, around 40,000 people were granted TPS in 2011. That protection status was extended until June 30, 2024 last month.

On Monday, an additional 3,200 people who got TPS last year were covered under the 18-month extension. Chaos in Haiti has fueled an exodus to the U.S., Mexico, and South America.

In September 2021, the Associated Press reported that the U.S. flew thousands of Haitians back home after more than 16,000 people, mostly from Haiti, camped in the Texas border town of Del Rio.

To control the spread of COVID-19, the government implemented a decree from the Trump administration that temporarily halted the ability to seek refuge.

According to the advocacy group Witness at the Border, which tracks deportations, the Biden administration has not had a deportation flight to Haiti since September 6.

Some Haitians Will Not Be Eligible for Temporary Legal Status Expansion

Authorities said Haitians entering the U.S. after Monday's announcement will not be eligible for TPS. In October, authorities detained Haitians more than 6,700 times along the Mexican border, a number which has risen each month since September last year.

More than 100,000 Haitians will be eligible for temporary status under Monday's announcement, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called for an expansion and extension last week, the AP reported.

Schumer said it was important to provide temporary protection to Haitian nationals in the U.S. because of Haiti's terrible physical conditions and decreasing political stability.

Executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, Guerline Jozef, expressed gratitude to the Biden administration, adding that they will continue to "work with and for the Haitian and Haitian-American communities."

Last week, the Cato Institute, which supports for more open immigration laws, noted that nearly one million people are eligible for TPS under the Biden administration, more than double the figure under the Trump administration.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Violence and Instability in Haiti as Ongoing Crisis Deepens - From PBS NewsHour