Washington, DC- Today, the Department of Homeland Security announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti beneficiaries for an additional 18 months beginning July 23, 2011.  Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement:

“Today, I applaud Secretary Janet Napolitano’s announcement to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitian nationals living in the U.S. since January 12, 2011, allowing them to remain in the United States until January 22, 2013.  I am glad that Secretary Napolitano’s heeded the calls from myself, many other lawmakers and Haitian advocacy groups to extend TPS.  This indeed marks a significant step forward in helping the Haitian Diaspora,” stated Congresswoman Clarke.

On January 11, 2011, U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand with the support of House Foreign Affairs Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, sent a bicarmel, bipartisan letter to President Barack Obama asking that the United States to extend the expiration date of TPS from July 22, 2011 to July 22, 2012.  Seven Senators and 37 Members of Congress signed on to the letter. Click here to access letter to President Obama requesting TPS extension. 

“As the Representative of the second largest population of Haitian immigrants in the United States, I see how important TPS is for the Haitian Diaspora.  Remittances sent back by those with TPS are integral to the families on the ground, the nation’s extremely fragile economy and will continue to alleviate burdens on American financial assistance.  It is extremely important to ensure that the Haitian people have all the resources they need to recover from the earthquake
Let us continue to stand with the people of Haiti and the Haitian Diaspora as they unite to implement a long-term recovery strategy in Haiti,” concluded Rep. Clarke.

For more information Haitians about applying for TPS visit www.uscis.gov/tps or call USCIS toll-free at 1-800-375-5283.

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