US provides temporary protection for Haitians | Human Rights Issues
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The United States will temporarily increase security to prevent the deportation of Haitian nationals, the Department of Homeland Security announced on Saturday, in a statement welcomed by immigration officials that it is “too late”.
The Temporary Protection Act (TPS) protects migrants in designated countries from being deported and gives them a work permit in the US as it would not be safe to repatriate them due to difficulties, such as weapons or natural disaster.
The new 18-month post will apply to Haitians who have lived in the US since May 21, and who meet other qualifications, said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Majorkas in words.
“Haiti is currently experiencing serious security concerns, civil unrest, widespread human rights abuses, extreme poverty, and lack of basic necessities, exacerbated by the COVID-19 epidemic,” Mayorkas said.
“After careful consideration, we are determined to do all we can to help Haitians in the United States until things change in Haiti so that they can return home safely.”
Former US President Donald Trump wanted to ban TPS in Haiti in 2018, but his efforts were thwarted by courts.
Lawmakers and immigration activists have urged President Joe Biden, who took office in January, to promise to change some of Trump’s most complex policies, barring immigrants, from fulfilling his mission. TPS was first delivered to the Haitian people after the 2010 earthquake that devastated the country.
Many people in the U.S. state of Florida, home to many Haitians in Miami and surrounding areas, staged a protest this week to demand an increase in TPS, a local media outlet. reports.
The new TPS “saves about 150,000 [Haitian] People who could be injured, ”said Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee words.
“As Haiti goes through a political and security crisis and suffers from economic crisis, this concept provides the necessary security for the Haitian people in the United States,” he said.
Haiti has experienced it months of political turmoil with increasing violence, and it is also difficult to deal with the COVID-19 epidemic.
Earlier this year, Haitians took to the streets to protest against President Jovenel Moise’s actions, while legal experts and law firms are set to end on February 7. But the president and his successors have vowed to end their five-year term in 2022.
“Today’s issues are the result of many hours of planning, advocacy, and encouragement among black leaders from other countries,” said Patrice Lawrence, co-director of the UndocuBlack Network, an organization that encourages blacks who are already and previously undocumented US.
“But as we celebrate the news, we know that this is just the beginning. Other black countries, including Cameroon, Mauritania, the Bahamas and St. Petersburg. Vincent, should also receive the TPS name as soon as possible, “said Lawrence words.
“I am very happy for the 150K families who have been able to sleep tonight knowing that they are fine because of the TPS chosen to be Haiti. Thank you, faithful, and happy,” said Guerline Jozef of the Haitian Bridge Alliance. he wrote.
The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES-Texas) also said the decision was “too late” but that more work needed to be done to protect those with TPS.
“Without the reform of TPS, the people of Haiti have been skeptical for the past few months. In the future, this inevitability can be overcome by permanent reform through laws that place TPS holders on the path to citizenship,” the group sent a statement.
Without the revision of the TPS, the people of Haiti have been skeptical for the past few months. In the future, this can undoubtedly be addressed by permanent redress through laws that place TPS on the path to citizenship.
– RAICES (@RAICESTEXAS) May 22, 2021
In contrast, immigration advocates criticized the public earlier this year for reports that Biden officials were sending migrants to Haiti back to Haiti. Chapter 42, health guidelines have been adopted by former President Donald Trump.
The Haitian Bridge Alliance, Quixote Center and UndocuBlack say about 1,200 people have been repatriated to Haiti after trying to enter the US on the southern border with Mexico between February 1 and March 25.
“Migrants to Haiti flee violence, instability and persecution in Haiti, and then make long and treacherous trips to the US-Mexico border in search of security in the United States,” said Nicole Phillips, director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance. words accompanied by Chapter 42 eviction report (PDF).
“Instead of being protected, they were tortured by immigration officers and – following Chapter 42 – deported back to the country of refuge without any protection. As the report states, such evictions are not only accidental, but also illegal.
Haitian asylum seekers have been repatriated to Mexico under Chapter 42, and complained discrimination and persecution in the border towns of Mexico.
But despite facing difficulties in Mexico, Haitian immigrants told Al Jazeera last month that they had no choice but to stay.
“Our family has nothing in Haiti, no house, no food, no money,” said Edile Eglaus, a Haitian security official who lives in a refugee camp outside of Tijuana with his wife and two children. “No matter what, getting back to it is impossible.”
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