FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Wendy Rhein, Director of Advancement, Marketing & Communications
202-635-5825 or wrhein@cliniclegal.org
CLINIC APPLAUDS RE-DESIGNATION OF
TEMPOARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR HAITI
Washington, DC - The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) supports the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for current TPS beneficiaries, as well as announcing the re-designation of TPS for eligible Haitians who entered the United States after the devastating earthquake in January 2010.
Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the re-designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status. Haitians who have been continuously residing in the United States since January 12, 2011 will now be eligible for TPS benefits. People who came to the US in the wake of the earthquake and up to one year later can apply to stay in the United States legally and for work authorization. The extension and re-designation are effective until January 22, 2013.
“Since the earthquake, CLINIC has advocated for this change on behalf of its network members serving thousands of low income Haitians in their communities,” said Maria M. Odom, Executive Director of CLINIC. “We are pleased with the Administration’s commitment to providing continued relief to individuals who would be forced otherwise to return to the harsh conditions and perils that still exist in Haiti. Our Catholic Charities partners in Miami, Boston, New York, and elsewhere, have shown exemplary leadership and commitment in their service to this vulnerable population. Re-designation means that they will now be able to help more Haitians in need obtain legal status and work authorization,” said Odom.
Secretary Napolitano also announced that the 48,000 Haitians who already have TPS are eligible for an 18 month extension. Both the extension and the re-designation are effective July 23, 2011.
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CLINIC is the nation’s largest network of nonprofit immigration programs. It supports more than 200 legal immigration programs located in 47 states. It advocates for humane and just immigration policy. For more information go to www.cliniclegal.org.
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