October 19, 2017

Markey Leads Massachusetts Delegation in Calling for Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in U.S.

Call on Secretaries Tillerson and Duke to act with compassion and generosity as Haiti continues to struggle in wake of hurricanes and cholera epidemic

Washington (October 19, 2017) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today led the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation in calling for the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals residing in the United States, which is slated to end January 22, 2018. Currently, more than 58,000 Haitians live and work in the United States under TPS and support 500,000 of their family members and loved ones in Haiti. The nation continues to struggle in the wake of devastating natural disasters and a cholera epidemic. Some 1.4 million Haitians still remain in need of urgent humanitarian aid since Hurricane Matthew hit the island in 2016, and food security continues to be a problem in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Nearly 60 percent of the country of 10.5 million people live on less than $2.42 a day.

“As Haiti continues to struggle to rebuild and recover from this series of devastating natural and man-made disasters, Haitian nationals in the United States are unable to return safely to their homeland,” write the lawmakers in their letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Elaine Duke. “Ending TPS for Haiti would have devastating effects on a nation struggling to rebuild, and will surely worse the ongoing humanitarian disaster.”

The other members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation are Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Reps. Richard Neal, James P. McGovern, Michael E. Capuano, Stephen F. Lynch, Niki Tsongas, William Keating, Katherine Clark, Joseph P. Kennedy III, and Seth Moulton.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

In May 2017, then-Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly partially extended TPS status by six months until January 22, 2018. The Massachusetts delegation is calling for a further extension – for a full 18 months available under Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

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