Hastings Again Urges President Bush to Assist Haiti’s Recovery Efforts by Granting Haitian Nationals TPS
FT. LAUDERDALE – “U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) again urged President George W. Bush to assist in Haiti’s recovery from Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Gustav by granting Haitian immigrants
currently residing in the United States Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
“The people of Haiti have long been victimized by our nation’s double standard immigration policies. The two back-to-back natural disasters that have recently ravaged this already struggling nation only emphasize the need for TPS,” Representative Hastings stated. Haiti can hardly sustain the lives of those currently living within its borders. How can we also expect it to contend with the repatriation of the very people who left Haiti in desperation and who,
through remittances, can aide in the nation’s recovery efforts?
Under Section 244(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1990, TPS may be granted when there is ongoing armed conflict posing serious threat to personal safety; it is re quested by a foreign state that temporarily cannot handle the
return of nationals due to environmental disaster; or extraordinary and temporary conditions in a foreign state prevent aliens from returning. Haiti meets all of these requirements.
TPS designation temporarily halts deportation
and grants permission to work, enabling Haitians currently in the United States to legally work and contribute to their country’s recovery.
Representative Hastings is a leader in the fight to end double-standard immigration practices as they pertain to Haitian migrants. He is the author of H.R. 522, the Haitian Protection Act, legislation which would designate Haitian
nationals in the United States as eligible for TPS. Representative Hastings has been calling for the extension of TPS to Haitian nationals for years and has been continuously engaged in correspondence with the Bush Administration on
this matter. This is Representative Hastings’ sixth letter to President Bush regarding TPS since the beginning of the 110th Congress in 2007.
Representative Hastings’ letter
August 29, 2008
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United State s
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
In light of the recent environmental and economic devastation that Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Gustav have ravaged upon the nation of Haiti, I write once again to urge you to grant Haitians residing in the United States Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
As you know, TPS may be granted when any of the following conditions are met: there is ongoing armed conflict posing a serious threat to personal safety; it is requested by a foreign state that temporarily cannot handle the return of
nationals due to environmental disaster; or when extraordinary and temporary conditions in a foreign state exist which prevent aliens from returning. Now, more than ever, Haiti continues to meet all of the requirements for TPS.
Already in the midst of a devastating food crisis that sparked deadly riots and led to the removal of its Prime Minister, Haiti has now suffered through two natural disasters within a span of only a few days. Tropical Storm Fay took dozens of lives, damaged countless homes, and flooded and destroyed many of Haiti’s few profitable rice fields and plantain crops. Little more than a week
later, Hurricane Gustav made landfall with 90 mph winds and caused floods and mudslides that forced hundreds of people from their homes and took the lives of more than 50 individuals.
It would take decades for a wealthier, more stable nation to recover from challenges similar to those facing Haiti. However, Haiti also lacks the physical and economic infrastructure necessary to protect its citizens from natural disasters, and any development efforts are further stunted by the constant crisis and turmoil affecting the nation. The tragedies of these past two weeks have shown us that by our refusal to take substantive action, we not
only leave the Haitian government vulnerable to greater political instability but we also increase the likelihood of human and physical loss from the probable event of future natural disasters.
As Haiti’s humanitarian crisis becomes increasingly dire and the nation’s struggle for economic stability and sustainable development is further delayed, it is now more imperative than ever that the United States grant Haitian
immigrants TPS.
TPS is the least expensive, most immediate form of humanitarian assistance we can provide Haiti, and it allows the Haitian government to invest all of its limited resources in the rebuilding and redevelopment of its struggling economy.
These recent events have already forced Haitian President Rene Preval to postpone the installment of a new Prime Minister. How volatile must the
political and economic situation in Haiti become before the United States is willing to take adequate action?
Just 600 miles from our shores, political and economic instability in Haiti impacts our own economy and immigration levels, thereby making it our responsibility to work to ensure Haiti’s long-term stability. Haitians, both in Haiti and in our own country, have long suffered through natural destruction, persistent poverty, repressive regimes, and the inequitable policies of the Untied States. It is now our moral obligation to help Haitians sustain and
rebuild their country by granting Haitian nationals already residing in the United States TPS.
I once again respectfully request that you grant Haitians TPS and urge you to allow Haitians the same consideration and protection that you, as well as previous administrations, have supported for other deserving nations in similar circumstances. If you continue to believe that Haiti still does not merit this designation, then I request a detailed explanation as to why.
Sincerely,
Alcee L. Hastings
Member of Congress
