SILVER SPRING, Maryland — On Monday, Dec. 5, the Department of Homeland Security announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for Haiti for an additional 18 months, through Aug. 3, 2024. It also announced a redesignation of TPS for Haiti, which will expand TPS eligibility to an estimated 100,000 people, providing temporary relief from deportation and authorizing work permits.  

“This is welcome news,” said Anna Gallagher, CLINIC’s executive director. “The conditions in Haiti are among the direst on earth. Recent reporting has only brought further to light the extreme challenges Haitians are facing in-country, including gang violence, political chaos and acute poverty. Haitians living in the United States can breathe a sigh of relief at this news, which will provide them temporary protection while solutions to the crisis in Haiti are sought. We pray for peace in Haiti, improvement in country conditions and for all Haitians seeking safety in the U.S., including those who have been recently deported.” 

“This outcome is largely due to the relentless advocacy of our partners at Black immigrant-led organizations,” said Karen Sullivan, CLINIC’s director of advocacy. “Their voices were critical in leading the Biden administration to make this sound and necessary decision. Temporary Protected Status was created by Congress for exactly this type of situation — to provide humanitarian relief when conditions on the ground are so extreme as to be unsafe for citizens to return. Haitians certainly deserve such protection at this time. Along with our partners, we will continue advocating for similar decisions to be made for countries facing equally grave challenges.”