Haitian diaspora presses Congress to protect TPS after Supreme Court ruling
Rallies in nine US cities on July 9 urged senators to back a bill that would keep Haiti designated for Temporary Protected Status until April 2029.
NEW YORK, United States. Members of the Haitian diaspora and their allies staged a nationwide day of action on July 9, with events in nine cities including Atlanta, Boston, Washington, Miami, Chicago and San Diego, as well as in Connecticut, to urge Congress to preserve Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians.
The mobilisation followed the US Supreme Court's June 25 ruling that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could proceed with terminating TPS for Haitian and Syrian nationals, a decision affecting more than 350,000 people with work authorisation in the United States.
On Friday, July 10, a federal court ruling extended the deadline to end TPS for Haitian nationals, but only until July 24.
The Senate bill
Senate Bill 4814, introduced on June 17 by Senator Edward J. Markey and co-sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and others, including Lisa Blunt Rochester, Elizabeth Warren, Andy Kim, Cory Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand, would require the Homeland Security secretary to designate Haiti for TPS through April 20, 2029.
TPS was established by Congress through the Immigration Act of 1990. It allows eligible nationals of designated countries already in the United States to remain temporarily when armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary circumstances make return unsafe.
Rally in Brooklyn
In New York, the rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall was led by Stephanie D. Delia, executive director of Little Haiti BK Inc., and Yolette Williams, president and chief executive of Haitian American Alliance, in partnership with the Haitian American Lawyers Association of New York (HALANY), the New York Immigration Coalition, Haitian Bridge Alliance, the Haitian Clergy Association, the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and community groups.
City Council members Farah Louis, Rita Joseph and Mercedes Narcisse said Haiti's humanitarian, political and security crises made mass deportations dangerous and inhumane.
Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn told the crowd that supporters stood "against the Supreme Court ruling that puts 350,000 Haitians at risk". Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called on Congress to "act right now", describing "a terrifying moment for a lot of folks in the Haitian community".
Signs reading "People Are Not Temporary" lined the steps as organisers urged attendees to keep contacting senators.
"This legislation is critical to keeping families together and protecting people from being sent back to life-threatening conditions in Haiti." Stephanie D. Delia
"This is about protecting families, protecting workers, and protecting our communities," said Yolette Williams.
Delia said TPS holders should prepare for possible policy changes. HALANY, Little Haiti BK and Haitian American Alliance are helping with preparedness guides, advising recipients to organise legal and financial documents and to seek help only from qualified immigration attorneys.
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Council Member Lincoln Restler, a representative of Senator Schumer's office and members of the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network also attended. "New York City will continue to stand with you," said Faiza N. Ali, commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs.
