Hispanic Federation Applauds the Biden Administration’s Decision to Reinstate TPS for Haiti, Calls for Permanent Solutions that Provide a Pathway to Citizenship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2021
CONTACTS:
Alia El-Assar
202.938-6511
alia@communicationsshop.us
Fernanda Durand
214.402-0186
fernanda@communicationsshop.us
WASHINGTON — Hispanic Federation applauds the Biden administration’s decision this past weekend to redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. In doing so, President Biden delivered on his 2020 campaign promise to reinstate TPS for Haitians if elected.
“President Biden’s TPS redesignation for Haiti recognizes the unsafe conditions Haitians face back in their country of origin and grants them permission to lawfully remain in the U.S. and continue contributing to their communities. As Haiti continues to recover from past challenges like the massive 2010 earthquake, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and a long-term cholera outbreak, this decision was urgently needed. The COVID-19 epidemic further exacerbated existing crises in the country and put insurmountable pressure on the limited and underfunded existing health infrastructure. All of these conditions make a safe return impossible for Haitians, particularly children, at this time,” said Laura M. Esquivel, Vice President of Federal Policy and Advocacy at Hispanic Federation.
TPS redesignation for Haitian nationals has garnered significant support across party lines in both the U.S. House and Senate. In March, Senator Robert Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Marco Rubio penned a bipartisan letter to the administration calling for Haiti’s redesignation for TPS, while 69 members of the House urged the administration to take action.
“Hispanic Federation thanks President Biden and congressional champions for heeding the calls of the American people and community stakeholders pushing for this critical redesignation that will save countless lives. We also applaud the Black, Latinx, and immigrant-led organizations across the country for their fierce advocacy work that made this win possible. Our elected officials must now turn their attention to passing permanent protections for TPS holders, Dreamers, and other immigrants so as to ensure that all of our community members are able to thrive without fear of their lawful status being once again ripped away from them, to the detriment of all Americans,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation.
