Category Archives: May 2021

NILC Statement on the Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2021

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Madison Allman, 214-415-4396
Juan Gastelum, 213-375-3149

NILC Statement on the Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Saturday announced the redesignation of Haiti for temporary protected status (TPS) for 18 months.

Haitian nationals in the United States have been eligible since 2010 for temporary protection that has allowed them to live and work here, after an earthquake devastated the country. Haiti continues to experience political and humanitarian crises exacerbated most recently by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 100,000 Haitian nationals who were in the U.S. as of May 21, 2021, qualify for protection under the new redesignation.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement:

“We applaud the long overdue decision by the administration to redesignate Haiti for TPS and commend President Biden for heeding the repeated calls to follow through on his campaign promise to protect Haitian communities with longstanding ties here who have built their lives in the U.S. This announcement is welcome relief for more than 100,000 Haitians who have been living with great uncertainty. It is a testament to countless hours of organizing and advocacy by Black immigrant leaders and their communities, who have led this fight, and an administration that is listening to the needs and dreams of diverse immigrant communities.

“While we celebrate this important victory, there is still a lot of work to do to address policies that disproportionately harm Black immigrants. Many Black-majority countries — such as Mauritania, Cameroon, St. Vincent, and the Bahamas — continue to await a decision on TPS designation, and thousands of people continue to be expelled and denied due process and the legal right to claim asylum under the administration’s ongoing use of Title 42. This includes approximately 2,000 Haitians who were wrongfully sent back to the same deadly conditions that warranted the redesignation of TPS for Haiti.

“We urge President Biden and Congress to address longstanding inequities in our immigration system and commit to permanent solutions. Congress must move quickly to pass a pathway to U.S. citizenship for people with TPS, immigrant youth, essential workers, and ultimately all immigrants who call the U.S. home.”

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NILC Statement on the Essential Role of Immigrant Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2021

CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, [email protected], 213-375-3149

NILC Statement on the Essential Role of Immigrant Workers

WASHINGTON — Immigrant workers, experts, and advocates testified at a hearing before a key U.S. Senate subcommittee today highlighting the experiences of immigrant essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and pending legislation to provide them a pathway to U.S. citizenship.

The hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety — chaired by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) — featured Rose Tilus, a Haitian nurse in Rhode Island with temporary protected status, who spoke about her experience caring for COVID-19 patients and contracting the virus. Witnesses also highlighted the contributions of farmworkers and other essential workers in industries heavily staffed by immigrants.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement:

“Immigrants are essential to our communities, economy, and our nation. Nearly three quarters of all immigrants in the U.S. workforce — including more than 5 million who are undocumented — are working in essential roles and helping us get through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Whether caring for our most vulnerable, teaching our kids, rebuilding after climate disasters, or keeping us fed, millions of immigrants are putting themselves and their loved ones at risk for all of us. We have applauded these courageous workers for keeping our country running in the midst of a global public health and economic crisis, but that’s not enough. We must recognize immigrant essential workers under the law and put them on a pathway to U.S. citizenship as part of our relief and recovery efforts.

“Courageous workers like Rose should have the certainty that they will not be separated from their loved ones and the communities and country they call home because of their immigration status. We thank Senator Padilla for shining a light on their experiences and contributions, and for his leadership on the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, which provides a permanent solution.

“Today’s hearing is an important step forward, as we continue to urge Congress to seize this critical moment and provide a long overdue pathway to citizenship for essential workers, immigrant youth, people with temporary protected status, and, eventually, all undocumented immigrants in the U.S. As we move into a recovery from COVID and build back our nation, we must recognize that there is no recovery without immigrants.”

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