Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-17), the representative of the largest concentration of Haitian Americans in Congress and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today praised the Obama Administration and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for granting her request for an extension and re-designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals. In a meeting at the White House last week, Congresswoman Wilson hand-delivered a letter to President Obama, signed by over 50 members of Congress, with this dual request.
The extension takes effect on July 23, 2011 and applies for an additional 18 months, through January 22, 2013. The extension applies to approximately 50,000 Haitian nationals living in the United States through TPS.
“Today’s announcement is nothing short of a lifeline for tens of thousands of Haitians living in the U.S., especially South Florida,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “Last year’s earthquake devastated Haiti and now is not the time to risk the lives of so many Haitians through deportation. I praise the Obama Administration and Secretary Napolitano for upholding its commitment to the people of Haiti and providing Haitians in the U.S. the sense of security and comfort they need and deserve.”
Additionally, Secretary Napolitano has re-designated Haiti for TPS to allow eligible Haitians who have continuously resided in the United States since January 12, 2011 to receive the protections of the policy.
Congresswoman Wilson recently returned from Haiti, where she had an opportunity to observe conditions on the ground, as well as meet with President Martelly and members of Parliament.
Haitians in the United States who are eligible to apply for TPS should go to www.uscis.gov/tps or call USCIS toll-free at 1-800-375-5283.
Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term congresswoman representing the 17th District of Florida, including Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward Counties. She is a former state legislator and school principal and the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.