U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, (D-FL) released a statement, urging the Trump administration to find a permanent solution for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), holders fleeing political collapse in Haiti.
The U.S. initially offered TPS to Haitians in January 2010 following a devastating earthquake and has since extended it to those fleeing the collapse of the Haitian government, allowing refugees to seek asylum in the U.S.
However, the Department of Homeland Security permitted President Donald Trump the ability to revoke the legal status and work permits of hundreds of thousands of Haitian migrants in early September, on Friday.
The Trump administration argues that conditions in Haiti have sufficiently improved for them to return home.
Rep. McCormick asserts that conditions in Haiti are still volatile and criticizes the DHS’s assessment of the situation, stating “While DHS claims that conditions in Haiti have improved, this assessment appears inconsistent with the State Department's own travel advisory, which warns of widespread violence, kidnappings, and civil unrest. If the country is considered unsafe for U.S. travelers, it raises serious concerns about sending families back at this time.”
She also argues that deporting Haitians covered under TPS will have a noticeable and detrimental impact on not only the South Florida economy but the national economy as a whole.
“The economic impact is also significant. TPS holders and their households contribute an estimated $2.3 billion in federal and $1.3 billion in state and local taxes annually. The removal of hundreds of thousands of workers would affect not only South Florida but also the national economy," said Rep. Cherfilius-McCormick.
McCormick closes out her statement claiming that U.S. immigration policy should “reflect compassion, consistency, and respect for those who have built their lives here under legal protections. I encourage the Administration to reconsider this decision and call on Congress to provide a permanent solution for TPS holders.”
