NORTH MIAMI – In an unprecedented effort, under the leadership of Mayor Andre D. Pierre, the city of North Miami has provided a second Temporary Protected Status (TPS) application assistance drive for Haitian nationals who qualify for the program.
With the support and participation of the Haitian Lawyers Association, city staff and volunteers, the city coordinated a one-stop shop for those seeking assistance with the TPS application process at the Griffing Adult Center on Saturday, February 13th, after the success of the first TPS drive held in January.
Mayor Andre D. Pierre
Over one hundred volunteers participated in the TPS drives, providing the following services: application processing by immigration attorneys, photocopying and required photography services, as well as handling of the complex application submittal, (including details such as proper mailing procedures) – all free of charge. By the end of the afternoon, over 350 applications had been processed through this program.
While helping applicants take their place on the line, Richard Champagne, current President of the Haitian Lawyers Association (HLA)stated, “This is an opportunity for the HLA and participating attorneys to give back to our community. Haitian immigrants have been suffering for a long time, and after the Obama administration granted TPS, it was our duty to assist. It has been a great opportunity to partner with the city of North Miami, given the concentration of Haitian nationals in the city.
Members of the Haitian Lawyer’s Association assist TPS Applicants.
As applicants trickled in, Nick Decius, a professional photographer volunteering his services shared his thoughts:
I felt my presence was necessary to the community. The way things are financially today, I felt it was my duty to help, to contribute, and when I received the call from Mayor Pierre, it just made my day. At a time when people just talk, this Mayor really delivers what he promises to do, not just speaking at a meeting…but in actions.
A shy nineteen year old, Sheila St. Firmer sat at a table, “This means a lot to me…I have been here since 2007, I was able to go to school, but I couldn’t go to college; now I can study, I can work,” her eyes smiling as she joined her family in the waiting area.
In a frenzy of directions in English and Haitian-Creole, Regine Monastime, former President of HLA, caught her breath, taking a moment from coordinating volunteers, attorneys and applicants, she explained, “As an attorney I felt it was important to use my skills, and the devastation in Haiti was the catalyst”. TPS gave us a chance to provide that assistance. Now these people, as part of the process, can obtain a work permit – that is a win-win situation. Not only do they become gainfully employed taxpayers, they can also send remittances home, which in turn will help the reconstruction effort in Haiti. We are really accomplishing something here on so many levels…medical, financial, shelter. I have participated in several of these TPS workshops, but nothing compares to what North Miami has done, everything is here…from the photographer to the copying machine to the bank of computers. It is a beautiful set up…we love Andre, his support and the support of city staff.
Mayor Pierre distributes forms to TPS applicants.
As the event drew to a close in the afternoon, Jean Souvreain was next in line and he did not want to lose his place, “I have been here ten years…ten years…I have married, I have a family…now I can regularize my status…I no longer have to live in limbo.” Reflecting on Jean Souvreain’s sentiment, Mayor Pierre concedes, “that is what it is all about. Giving people a chance to live the American dream without having to worry about their residency status. While it is temporary, the TPS status is a great leap forward for Haitians living, working and going to school here in the United States. We’re just glad that we can help here in North Miami.”
