U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings Expresses Concern for People of Haiti, calls on President Bush to Grant Haitians TPS

FT. LAUDERDALE – U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) issued the following statement today expressing his concern for the people of Haiti following Tropical Storm Fay’s drenching of the island which has caused high wind storms, flash floods, and mudslides. Tropical force winds can reach up to 100 mph.

Representative Hastings also called on President Bush to grant Haitian nationals currently residing in the U.S. Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings

“My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the other countries impacted by Tropical Storm Fay. I will do everything I can to ensure that the United States provides the necessary assistance to help these countries recover from this storm.

“In light of Fay’s impact on Haiti, I once again call on President Bush to grant Haitians in the United State Temporary Protected Status. To force Haitians to return to Haiti anytime in the near future not only places their lives and well-being in jeopardy, but places added strain on the Haitian government as it tries to recover from Fay and meet the needs of its citizens.”

Representative Hastings has long been a leader in issues relating to Haiti. He authored an amendment to H.R. 2634, the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation, which unanimously passed the House of Representatives and was signed into law earlier this year, calling for the immediate cancellation of Haiti’s international debt. He is also the author of H.R. 522, the Haitian Protection Act, legislation which would designate Haitian nationals in the United States as eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Representative Hastings has been calling for the extension of TPS to Haitian nationals for years.