Press Releases

MIAMI, FL – Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) issued the following statement concerning U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) decision to extend the re-registration period for Haitian nationals who already have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and who seek to remain in the U.S. longer. Due to damage caused by hurricane Sandy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has extended the November 30, 2012 deadline to re-register for TPS to January 29, 2013.

“Extending the re-registration period for Haitian nationals, who already have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), is welcome news for the thousands of Haitian nationals living in South Florida and around the country. Hurricane Sandy caused damage in many residential areas of the island nation still struggling with post-earthquake conditions.”

On October 1, 2012, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti for an additional 18 months. The extension begins January 23, 2013, and ends July 22, 2014. Temporary Protected Status was first designated for Haiti on January 21, 2010, after major earthquakes devastated the country.

Shortly after the earthquakes, Congresswoman Wilson put in a request to the White House for an extension and re-designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals living in the United States. She also hand-delivered a letter to President Obama, signed by 50 members of Congress, with this dual request.

For more information, or a free TPS form, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/tps or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center’s toll-free number at 1-800-375-5283.

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U.S. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term Congresswoman from Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.