House Haiti Caucus Statement on Haitian TPS Designation

Press Release

The House Haiti Caucus today praised a new 18-month Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haitians living in the United States, which was implemented by the Biden administration this weekend. The Co-Chairs are Reps. Andy Levin (MI-09), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Val Demings (FL-10), and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07).

Said the Co-Chairs, "As the chairs of the Haiti Caucus, we welcome President Biden's decision to grant Haitians living in the United States Temporary Protected Status. It is wrong to force people to return to uncertain and dangerous conditions in Haiti. This is a necessary step that will protect Haitian migrants amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing political crisis in Haiti.

"We are deliberate in calling this a "step.' The Biden administration should examine all of its policies concerning Haiti and act urgently on the requests outlined by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries, and dozens more members on April 26. More action is needed to ensure the health, wellbeing and human rights of the Haitian people. We look forward to working in partnership with the Biden/Harris administration to provide a permanent pathway to citizenship for TPS holders and build an immigration system that affirms the dignity and humanity of all people."

Reps. Andy Levin (MI-09), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Val Demings (FL-10), and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) formed the House Haiti Caucus last week to advocate for the Haitian people and their wellbeing.

TPS will apply only to those individuals who are already residing in the United States as of May 21, 2021 and meet all other requirements. Those who attempt to travel to the United States after this announcement will not be eligible for TPS and may be repatriated.

Individuals eligible for TPS under Haiti's new designation must file an application for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services within the registration period that will begin upon publication of the Federal Register notice. This includes current beneficiaries under Haiti's TPS designation, who will need to file a new application to register for TPS to ensure they do not lose TPS or experience a gap in coverage. Individuals filing for TPS may also request an Employment Authorization Document and travel authorization. All individuals applying for TPS undergo security and background checks as part of determining eligibility.

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano initially designated Haiti for TPS in January 2010 based on extraordinary and temporary conditions within the country, specifically the effects of a 7.0-magnitude earthquake. In 2011, Haiti's designation was extended, and the country was also redesignated for TPS at the same time. Haiti's designation was subsequently extended again for 18 months in 2013 and 2015, and for an additional six months in 2017.

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