On Saturday (May 29), the Biden administration approved humanitarian protections for Haitian immigrants, paving the way for an estimated 100,000 people to apply to lawfully stay in the US. The move comes after advocates criticized President Joe Biden for widespread deportation efforts that targeted Haitian immigrants.
“Haiti is currently experiencing serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty, and lack of basic resources, which are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. Mayorkas unveiled a new 18-month Temporary Protected Status (TSP) humanitarian designation program for which eligible Haitian nationals who currently reside in the US as of May 21 can apply, according to a report by CNN.
Earlier this year, The New York Times reported a surge in gang violence and civil unrest as the end of the nation’s president’s term ended, but his seat was not vacated.
“As Haiti passes through an acute political and security crisis and faces enduring humanitarian challenges, this decision provides urgently needed protections for eligible Haitians in the United States,” Sen. Bob Menendez, who heads up the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.
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