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TPS Granted to Undocumented Haitians in U.S. |
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Written by Jordana Hart
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Friday, 15 January 2010 |
The Obama administration announced late today that it will allow an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 undocumented Haitians living in the United States to stay and work in the country for 18 months as part of its response to Tuesday's earthquake, but warned Haitians that leaving the country now "will only bring more hardship to the Haitian people and nation."
Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said the decision to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to undocumented immigrants from Haiti who were physically present tin the U.S. on January 12, 2010 is a gesture of compassion and an attempt to ensure that the flow of remittances and economic support to their devastated homeland continues.
"This is a disaster of historic proportions," Napolitano said in a 5 p.m. conference call. "Providing a temporary refuge for Haitian nationals who are currently in the United States and whose personal safety would be ended by returning to Haiti as this administration continues efforts to support Haiti's recovery."
However, Napolitano coupled that message with a caution to Haitians now seeking refuge outside their country. While she declined to specify the consequences for those caught trying to enter the U.S. illegally, she said, "At this moment of tragedy in Haiti, it is tempting for people suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake to seek refuge elsewhere, but attempting to leave Haiti now will only bring more hardship to the Haitian people and nation."
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Last Updated ( Friday, 15 January 2010 )
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