FCNL Supports Temporary Protected Status for Haitians

Jan 13, 2010

March 12, 2009

I write to you as the Legislative Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation to express our support for the designation of the country of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

We are deeply troubled by the current situation facing 30,000 Haitian nationals currently slated for deportation. In light of the massive destruction caused by four deadly storms and mudslides that struck Haiti in September 2008, in tandem with deep political instability, Haiti qualifies for TPS under the criteria laid out in the Immigration Act of 1990 ("IMMACT"), P.L. 101-649.

Haitian President Rene Preval called for the US to halt deportations of Haitians in a public plea on October 4, 2008, stating that deporting thousands of Haitians back to Haiti under the current circumstances will only further exacerbate the current humanitarian crisis. Indeed, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that 800,000 Haitians are currently in need of emergency humanitarian assistance as the devastating storm damage left many of Haiti's 8.5 million residents homeless without food, water, or healthcare. However, this damage has only compounded the growing food shortage crisis that sparked the food riots last April.

We hope that the Obama administration will realize that deporting thousands of Haitians under the current circumstances will deepen an already dire humanitarian crisis and will increase stress on Haiti's already fragile economy. TPS will allow the Haitian government to invest its limited resources into rebuilding damaged infrastructure and offering emergency relief to its suffering people.

Please designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status.

Sincerely,

Ruth Flower
Legislative Director
Friends Committee on National Legislation