African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
6 p., Argues the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians -- and particularly the redesignation of the eligibility period -- demonstrates the best of what the Administration can do using its executive branch authority to improve the quality of people's lives. It demonstrates a commitment to good immigration policy and to "good government" policies such as greater transparency and coordination. In the Haitian context, the Department of Homeland Security should also implement a program to grant humanitarian parole to the estimated 105,000 Haitian already approved as beneficiaries of family-based visa petitions, just as has been done for Cubans under the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program.
A country may qualify for TPS due to the following conditions: ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war), an environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane) or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. In light of the massive earthquake that took place in Haiti on Jan. 12 when thousands were presumed and then confirmed dead, Haiti became a candidate for TPS. "A lot of people don't have the money for the application and so that remains the primary obstacle for them," [Gepsie M. Metellus] said. "Although there is a fee waiver [for which some are eligible], it is a 'process' and it is frustrating."
